A new addition to West Sechelt Elementary with space for 145 more students is open and ready to welcome children this September.

The new space eliminates the need for five portables from West Sechelt and two portables from a nearby school.

“This back-to-school season, students and staff at West Sechelt Elementary have new, improved and larger space to learn, explore and enjoy,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. “I’m pleased to see another completed project where portables are no longer necessary and students are in a safe, permanent and modern learning environment.”

More than $11.2 million has been invested for the addition to West Sechelt Elementary. Building on this momentum, the Province has invested more than $76,000 through the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund for a child care centre that is scheduled to open in the winter of 2022 with 28 spaces for children one to five years old (12 infant/toddler spaces and 16 spaces for children aged three years to school age).

“Access to affordable, quality and inclusive child care for families is vital to building strong communities and supporting B.C.’s economy,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “These new child care spaces will enable more parents to return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities knowing that when they drop their kids off in the morning, they’ll get the nurturing support they need to learn and thrive.”

The new classrooms at West Sechelt Elementary are part of the Province’s work to build new and expanded schools in fast-growing communities, so all students have the  learning environments they deserve. Incorporating child care spaces on school grounds is convenient for parents at drop-off and pickup times and helps create seamless continuity of care and learning for children.

“We are pleased the new expansion at West Sechelt is complete and ready to welcome students and their families this September,” said Amanda Amaral, board chair, School District 46. “The expansion has been eagerly awaited and we are certain it will be well received.”

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.

Quotes:

Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast –

“The opening of this new addition is important not just to the students and staff who will occupy the space, but to the community as a whole. Schools like West Sechelt are hubs for services, innovation and recreation. This building will serve generations of families and is a concrete example of our government’s investment in people and communities across the province.”

Aspen Wing, parent advisory committee (PAC) chair, West Sechelt Elementary –

“The West Sechelt Elementary PAC community is elated to have the expansion open up to our students and families in September. The changes are a refreshing lift to the school and community, and we cannot wait to see the potential for West Sechelt.”

Learn More:

For more information about SD46, visit: https://sd46.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