Summary

• Since 2017, 250 major school capital projects have been completed or are in the works, including new schools, additions and seismic upgrades
• This September, 23 new and improved schools are opening, creating space for 4,700 more students in 16 communities
• In Burnaby, the province is opening a new seismic replacement of Stride Avenue Community Elementary, additions at Brentwood Park and Nelson Elementary schools

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Premier David Eby is marking the 250th school capital project since 2017, as families prepare to send their kids back to schools that have smaller class sizes and are better staffed and equipped to support learning and growth.  

“Across the province this fall, thousands of students will be stepping into brand-new classrooms to support their success,” said Premier David Eby. “Our kids deserve the best start possible. Instead of closing schools and fighting with teachers, our record is building and upgrading schools, with 250 projects delivered or underway, and smaller class sizes. Our plan is making a difference, but we can’t stop now: We need to keep delivering a bright future for our kids.”

Since 2017, government has approved more than $7 billion for school capital projects to deliver nearly 50,000 new seats and almost 40,000 seismically safer seats for students to learn in B.C. schools.

Nearly two dozen new and improved schools opening

This September, 23 new schools and additions are opening across B.C. that will provide 4,700 students with a space to learn, including:

• six new schools in six communities
• 14 new additions in 11 communities
• three seismic replacements in three communities

These school capital projects are supported by more than $560 million in provincial funding. 

“Schools are at the heart of our communities, where students learn, families connect and lifelong memories are made,” said Lisa Beare, acting Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Education and Child Care. “This fall, thousands of students across B.C. will have access to brand-new classrooms that support their learning today and help set them up for success in the years ahead.”

New schools underway

At the same time, the Province continues to plan for the future. There are currently 51 school capital projects underway in B.C.:

• 13 new schools
• 27 additions
• 10 seismic upgrades and replacements
• one renovation

Supporting Burnaby students

In Burnaby, three new and improved schools are opening in September, with 265 new seats and 415 seismically safer student seats. This includes:

• a new, seismically safer 415-seat Stride Avenue Community Elementary, with a neighbourhood learning centre to support community programming and child care space
• 100 new seats in four classrooms for students at Nelson Elementary
• 165 new seats in seven classrooms for students at Brentwood Park Elementary and a new gymnasium, the first phase of an expansion and seismic upgrade of the entire school

In addition, construction is underway on three school projects:

• the seismic replacement and expansion of Cameron Elementary, adding 425 new seats and seismically upgrading 345 seats
• a new two-storey, 12-classroom addition at École Alpha Secondary, adding 300 new seats
• a child care addition and seismic upgrades at Brentwood Park Elementary

“It’s exciting for students at Stride Avenue Community school to start the year in their new building and for children at Brentwood Park and Nelson Elementary schools to move into their newly expanded schools,” said Kristin Schnider, chair of the Burnaby Board of Education. “We’re grateful for the ministry’s support for these and other projects underway. Schools are the heart of our communities. They are safe places to learn with child care spaces where possible and other services that help families and communities thrive.”

Quotes:

Anne Kang, MLA for Burnaby Centre –

“As a former Burnaby school teacher and a parent of two children, I know the importance of investing in public schools. It is exciting to see so many school projects being delivered across Burnaby, from new classrooms and student seats to expanded learning spaces and improved facilities. These investments will help more students learn, grow and make memories while helping meet the needs of Burnaby’s growing communities.”

Rohini Arora, MLA for Burnaby East –

“As our community continues to grow, it’s exciting to see construction underway on the new and expanded Cameron Elementary. This project will help ensure more students and families have access to the high-quality learning spaces they need to thrive.”

Paul Choi, MLA for Burnaby South-Metrotown –

“The new seats at Nelson Elementary are a welcome addition for students heading back to school this September. As our neighbourhood continues to grow, families can be assured that we are working to ensure every student has the space they need to succeed.”

Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-New Westminster –

“It’s great to see the new Stride Avenue Community school open its doors. Students have watched the new school take shape and they can look forward to a new, more modern learning environment now and for years to come.”

Janet Routledge, MLA for Burnaby North –

“Brentwood Park Elementary is a cornerstone of our community, and it’s great to see the new gym and new seats open for students this fall. With the next phase of the project now underway, students and families can look forward to an even better learning environment in the years ahead.”

Learn More:

• For images of the Burnaby projects, visit: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/6UNG24fv00
• 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

A backgrounder follows.