Summary

• First-in-B.C. fully prefabricated seismic replacement and expansion at Ladysmith Intermediate will deliver a new 390-seat school
• Addition at Ladysmith Primary will add 250 new seats
• Construction is anticipated to start in fall 2026 for Ladysmith Primary, spring 2027 for Ladysmith Intermediate

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A seismic replacement and school expansions are coming to Ladysmith Primary and Intermediate schools to support students and families.

“Investing in new and expanded prefabricated schools in Ladysmith means students will have safer, modern spaces to learn for years to come,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “These projects demonstrate the innovative work underway to quickly deliver quality learning environments, and Ladysmith Intermediate will be the province’s first fully prefabricated permanent school.”

Building more spaces for students

The seismic replacement and expansion of Ladysmith Intermediate school will have 390 seats, an addition of 90 seats from the existing school. The new school will be the first seismic replacement and expansion in the province to be built using entirely prefabricated building techniques and will provide more students with safe, modern classroom space.

Once complete, the school will be converted to a kindergarten to Grade 7 elementary school to align with the model used by all other schools in the district.

The new addition at Ladysmith Primary school will add 10 new classrooms and 250 new seats for students, supporting the community of Ladysmith by creating more space for students to learn, grow and thrive. It will also be built using prefabricated construction methods.

Prefabricated construction is a building technique that allows building components to be brought in from offsite and can help speed up construction. These building techniques have been used effectively around the world and the Province has used these methods for many school additions. These permanent structures meet the same building standards as traditional structures and are just one example of how innovative solutions are helping build quality schools more quickly, delivering the classrooms students need and supporting growing communities.

“We are elated for the community of Ladysmith and incredibly grateful to the province for this investment that will support learners for generations to come,” said Naomi Bailey, chair, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools. “A new Ladysmith Intermediate school and the addition of 250 more spaces at Ladysmith Primary school are welcome investments to our school district that will support our students with safe and suitable learning spaces where they can truly belong, grow and thrive.”

School features

The seismic replacement and expansion of Ladysmith Intermediate will include:

• a new, fully accessible prefabricated primary school built on the previous site of École Davis Road Elementary
• two kindergarten classrooms, 14 elementary classrooms, a multipurpose room, a media and technology centre and a gymnasium
• new outdoor recreation areas, including play fields and a new playground
• built to LEED Gold standards, the school is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 81% and increase energy efficiency
• a new neighbourhood learning centre for before- and after-school care
• parking for electric vehicles

The addition at Ladysmith Primary will include:

• two storeys with 10 new elementary classrooms
• special-education space to support students with diverse needs
• an elevator to ensure accessibility

“These projects are an important investment in Ladysmith’s future,” said Stephanie Higginson, MLA for Ladysmith-Oceanside. “Families in Ladysmith deserve schools that keep pace with our growing community, and this work helps ensure students have the opportunities and support they need now and into the future.”

Construction on the addition at Ladysmith Primary is anticipated to start in fall 2026. Construction for the new Ladysmith Intermediate school is expected to start in spring 2027.

The Province is providing as much as $52 million for these projects:

• $15 million for Ladysmith Primary
• $37 million for Ladysmith Intermediate

Creating more student spaces across B.C.

• Since 2017, the Province has committed more than $7 billion to create more than 47,000 new student seats and more than 39,000 seismically safer seats in B.C. schools.
  • This includes the nearly $106 million the Province has committed to create 1,035 new seats and 890 seismically safer seats for students in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District.
• Of these spaces, more than 23,500 new student seats and more than 33,000 seismically safer seats are complete provincewide.

As the province grows, goverment remains committed to working with both school districts and municipalities to provide all students with safe, modern and inspiring places to learn.

Quotes:

Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care –

“More students in Ladysmith will soon have access to bright, modern classrooms that support their learning and well-being. These new spaces will help improve accessibility and ensure students have the room they need to learn, play and thrive, while offering more families in Ladysmith the convenience of before- and after-school care.”

Deena Beeston, mayor of Ladysmith –

“This is a milestone achievement for Ladysmith. These projects underscore our shared commitment to providing seismically safe, community-centred learning environments that supports both current needs and future growth. By adding more space for students, families can be assured their children will learn in modern, well-designed facilities that truly support their development.”

Learn More:

For more information about K-12 school capital projects in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/capital