Government investments in Surrey for students and staff continue at a record pace, with the new Grandview Heights Secondary, expanded Sullivan Elementary and seismically upgraded Greenaway Elementary opening right in time for the start of the school year.

The Province is also funding the expansion of two more schools.

“Surrey is one of B.C.’s fastest-growing communities, and since we’ve been in government, we’ve moved quickly and decisively, opening and expanding schools and securing land for future schools so that children can learn and thrive,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. “These new buildings help students and staff explore the new curriculum and reduce the need for portables to accommodate enrolment growth.”

More than $82 million has been invested in Grandview Heights Secondary school, which has capacity for 1,500 students. It is the first new secondary school in the White Rock and South Surrey region in more than 20 years. The school’s design features a large multi-purpose atrium, two gymnasiums, a theatre, dance studio, music and band room, learning studios, collaboration spaces, breakout rooms, science labs, computer labs, learning commons, fitness room and weight room.

For the addition to Sullivan Elementary, $15 million was invested. The Government of B.C. contributed more than $13.5 million and the school district provided $1.5 million for the project. The addition almost doubles the capacity, with space for an additional 200 students.

The seismic upgrades at George Greenaway Elementary have progressed faster than anticipated, so classrooms will be ready for students and staff in time for the first day of school. The Government of B.C. invested $11.8 million in this project to provide a safer learning environment for students.

The Province has also approved funding of $13.7 million for the expansion of Semiahmoo Trail Elementary and $13.3 million for South Meridian Elementary. Semiahmoo will gain space for 245 more students and South Meridian will add capacity for 200 more students.

Over the past four years, more than $475 million has been invested in 29 major school capital projects in Surrey. This includes new and expanded schools, seismic upgrades and land purchases for future schools that will support students now and for years to come. These investments are helping nearly 10,045 students move from portables to classrooms between 2018 and 2025, which is the equivalent of eliminating more than 400 portables.

“We’re starting this new school year with a brand-new secondary school and a new addition at Sullivan Elementary,” said Laurie Larsen, chair, Surrey Board of Education. “Both of these areas are seeing rapid growth, and these investments will help support our district in addressing the needs of our growing community. We thank the provincial government for its investment and look forward to continuing to work together to increase capacity and create modern learning environments for our students.”

To continue this momentum, construction is also underway on the following Surrey schools:

• Sunnyside Elementary (addition), expected to open in fall 2022
• Prince Charles Elementary (seismic upgrade), expected to open in fall 2022
• Queen Elizabeth Secondary (seismic upgrade), expected to open in fall 2022
• Sullivan Heights Secondary (addition), expected to open in spring 2022
• Regent Road Elementary (new school), expected to open in fall 2022
• White Rock Elementary (addition), expected to open in fall 2022
• Holly Elementary (seismic upgrade), expected to open in winter 2022

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:

Jinny Sims, MLA for Surrey-Panorama –

“It’s so good to know that this school year, families in Surrey will have both a new, contemporary secondary and an expanded elementary school to help accommodate student growth in our city. Every child deserves to learn in a real classroom, surrounded by peers, and with access to all the wonderful resources that enable students to grow, explore and learn. We are not just building schools, we are investing in our future.”

Mike Starchuk, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale –

“The students, teachers and staff at George Greenaway have shown a lot of patience and generosity towards future students at this school. They had construction happening around them and many challenges to navigate over the past year, and thanks to their willingness to face those hurdles, future generations, including the ones starting there this September, will have a safer learning environment.”

Quick Facts:

• Between 2014 and 2017, no new schools and only one addition opened in Surrey.
• Since 2017, more than $475 million has been approved for new schools, expansions, seismic upgrades and land purchases for future schools in Surrey.
• Surrey School District has no plan to purchase portables for the upcoming school year.
• Surrey School District was recently supported to acquire a site for a new Newton area secondary school, as well as a number of school upgrade projects including but not limited to HVAC system upgrades and new accessible playgrounds.

Learn More:

For more information about SD36, visit: https://www.surreyschools.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