Two new West Langford schools will be ready to welcome 1,200 students by September 2022 as construction is underway for Pexsiseṉ Elementary and Centre Mountain Lellum Middle schools.

The construction project is 25% complete and structural steel is expected to arrive in late March 2021.

“It’s no secret the West Shore is home to some of the fastest-growing communities in the province and an attractive place to raise a family. Our government made it a priority to build new and expanded schools to meet the growth,” said Premier John Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca. “I am excited students in Langford will soon have the benefit of learning in modern, engaging and inspiring new schools designed to support student success.”

The Government of B.C. is providing $88.6 million to build the two new schools at the corner of Constellation Avenue and the West Shore Parkway. These new schools will add 1,200 new student seats to the community, reducing the need for portables at nearby schools.

The site for both schools has now been prepared with concrete foundations and retaining walls in place, allowing for construction to begin.

“We all want to provide students the best possible environments to learn in, and that means schools that are designed for modern learning,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. “I’m pleased to see these forward-thinking investments in Langford schools becoming a reality for families who need them, and I can’t wait to see the school communities built at Pexsiseṉ and Centre Mountain Lellum.”

In addition, there will be a new neighbourhood learning centre on site with new, before- and after-school child care spaces to further support young families in the community.

“Creating new child care opportunities for families is vital to building strong communities and supporting B.C.’s economy,” said Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development and MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin. “By providing child care on school grounds, especially in busy communities like the West Shore, we can help make pickups and drop-offs easier for parents and inspire young children to become lifelong learners.”

Building two new schools in West Langford is part of the Province’s commitment to add new student spaces in fast-growing communities throughout B.C. to reduce the need for portables.

“As a board of education, we work hard to ensure there are neighbourhood schools for our communities,” says Ravi Parmar, chair, Sooke Board of Education. “We’re thankful the government recognizes the growth and opportunity in our communities. These schools help us on our path to providing leadership in educational stewardship, while fostering choice and diversity for both our students and staff.”

Since September 2017, government has announced more than $2.2 billion for school construction projects in B.C. This includes $187 million for the Sooke School District to add 1,800 new student seats at three schools and the purchase of five sites for future schools to meet expected growth on the West Shore.

Quick Facts:

• Pexsiseṉ (PUXX/SEE/SUNG) is a Lekwungen and SENĆOŦEN word gifted to the Sooke School District by the Songhees First Nation. It means “the opening of hands” or “to have one’s hands wide open.”
• The term Lellum (LAY-LUM) in Centre Mountain Lellum was gifted to the Sooke School District by Sc’ianew Nation (Beecher Bay) and carries the meaning of house and the idea of community, where children are raised.

Learn More:

For a video rendering of the new schools, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGovJnqst20