Students and families in Kitsilano are getting a much-needed, seismically safe replacement of Henry Hudson Elementary along with more than twice the number of child care spaces on the school grounds.

“Families deserve to send their children to safe, inspiring and engaging schools, and have access to child care in convenient locations,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education. “The new Henry Hudson Elementary school will accomplish all of that, as a modern educational facility and a true community hub for generations to come.”

The replacement of Henry Hudson Elementary is a $40.1-million project funded by the Government of B.C., the Vancouver School Board and the City of Vancouver.

“We’re making great progress toward providing seismically safe schools for every student in B.C.,” said David Eby, MLA for Vancouver-Point Grey. “We have tripled the pace of seismic upgrades, with one in six of our approved capital dollars being spent on seismic safety at Vancouver schools.”

The Province is investing $29.06 million from the Seismic Mitigation Program for the project. The Vancouver School Board is providing $1.06 million and the City of Vancouver is contributing $10 million for a rooftop child care centre.

"This project is yet another example of our commitment to building strong partnerships that deliver for families in Vancouver and help create more vibrant communities,” said Kennedy Stewart, mayor, City of Vancouver. “The city’s $10-million investment helps to more than double the number of child care spaces, providing hundreds of Vancouver families with quality child care options close to where they live.”

Henry Hudson Elementary is nearly 110 years old and in need of an upgrade due to its age and condition. Construction on the replacement is set to begin in spring 2022, with the new school expected to be ready for students by September 2024. The school will be built on the existing property, and the current facilities will be demolished after completion.

“We are glad that this new seismically safe school will continue to serve the Hudson community for years to come,” said Janet Fraser, chair, Vancouver School Board.

The new school will include a neighbourhood learning centre that will retain Hudson’s current child care programming. The new rooftop child care centre will add 69 spaces for children aged four years and under, as well as an additional 30 spaces of before- and after-school care.

“For too long, Vancouver families have struggled to find quality, affordable child care close to home, which is why our government is undertaking the fastest creation of child care spaces in the province’s history,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “We’re making it easier for child care to be delivered on school property because everyone benefits when kids have services in facilities already equipped for enrichment and play, allowing families to save time and money with one central drop-off location in their neighbourhood.”

This project is the 12th seismic upgrade or replacement in Vancouver since September 2017, with $325 million invested to create nearly 7,000 seismically safe student seats in the district, with more to come.

In fewer than three years, the Province has approved over $2 billion for 95 major school capital investments throughout B.C., creating almost 26,000 seismically safe seats that will protect students in the event of an earthquake.

To continue this momentum, Budget 2020 includes a record $2.8 billion for school capital projects, including $925 million to keep accelerating the Seismic Mitigation Program.

Quotes:

Suzanne Hoffman, superintendent, Vancouver School Board – ​

“Ensuring that all our students attend seismically safe schools is one of the district’s top priorities.” 

Robert Ford, parent of a Hudson student – ​

"The Hudson Elementary seismic project has been in the works for many years. I am both thrilled and relieved that the students will be in a seismically safe replacement school."

Quick Facts:

• The following schools have been approved for seismic mitigation in Vancouver in the last three years:
  • Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary (seismic replacement) – expected completion winter 2021-22
  • Bayview Elementary (seismic replacement) – expected completion winter 2021-22
  • David Lloyd George Elementary (seismic replacement) – expected completion fall 2021
  • Eric Hamber Secondary (seismic replacement) – expected completion fall 2023
  • Edith Cavell Elementary (seismic upgrade) – expected completion winter 2021-22
  • General Wolfe Elementary (seismic upgrade) – expected completion fall 2021
  • George M. Weir Elementary (partial replacement) – expected completion winter 2021-22
  • Lord Selkirk Elementary (seismic upgrade) – expected completion fall 2021
  • Lord Byng Elementary (seismic upgrade) – expected completion fall 2021
  • Chief Maquinna Elementary (seismic upgrade) – expected completion fall 2021
  • David Livingstone Elementary (seismic upgrade) – expected completion spring 2023
  • Henry Hudson Elementary (seismic replacement) – expected completion summer 2024

Learn More:

For more information on Childcare BC, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare