Right in time for a new school year, students and staff are heading to class at the recently completed École H.S. Grenda Middle school.

The school has capacity for 600 students, providing much-needed spaces for Lake Country families.

“We know how important it is to give children access to quality learning resources and environments,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. “By investing in schools like this, we are helping future generations of British Columbians learn, grow and thrive in their communities.”

The school’s 21st-century design includes modern, environmentally friendly systems like geo-exchange heat recovery to regulate temperatures and reduce operating costs. The space will give students and teachers the opportunity to take full advantage of B.C.’s new curriculum.

The new school includes additional student spaces to meet the anticipated growth in the community. It will also include a neighbourhood learning centre, where the school district is collaborating with the District of Lake Country and Science World on programs that will be offered to spark curiosity and inspire engagement with science and nature.

More than $40 million has been invested for the new H.S. Grenda Junior Middle school. The Government of B.C. provided more than $35 million and the school district contributed $5.3 million.

“We are pleased to see this investment in our learners, especially since the Central Okanagan is the fastest-growing region in B.C.,” said Moyra Baxter, board chair, Central Okanagan Public Schools. "All of our students deserve safe, accessible learning spaces, and we look forward to continuing to meet the needs of our growing communities.”

Since September 2017, the Province has announced more than $2.5 billion for 122 school construction projects and property purchases, including nearly $760 million to add more than 13,000 new student seats to schools throughout B.C.

Budget 2021 includes almost $3.5 billion for school capital investments, including new and expanded schools, seismic upgrades and replacements, and site purchases to ensure land is in place to accommodate fast-growing communities throughout the province.

Learn More:

For more information about Central Okanagan Public Schools School District 23, visit: http://www.sd23.bc.ca

For more information about major public school capital projects underway, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/capital/major-capital-projects