B.C. school capital program hits 250 projects with 23 more opening this fall
The province marked the milestone Tuesday with the opening of a seismically upgraded elementary school in Burnaby, as 23 new and renovated schools prepare to welcome students.
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The B.C. government announced Tuesday it has completed 250 school capital projects since 2017, creating 4,700 new student seats. The milestone came as Premier David Eby attended the opening of Stride Avenue Community Elementary in Burnaby, the 250th completed project—a seismically upgraded school designed to withstand earthquake damage.
Of the 250 completed projects, 23 are opening for the coming school year: six entirely new schools in six communities, 14 additions in 11 communities, and three seismic replacements in three communities. An additional 51 projects remain underway across B.C., including 13 new schools, 27 additions, 10 seismic upgrades and replacements, and one renovation.
The seismic upgrades reflect ongoing work to protect students and staff from earthquake risk. Vancouver has been the focus of particular investment; the province has invested in seismically upgrading or replacing schools across the district. That work is part of a broader effort to shield schools from risks posed by the Cascadia Subduction Zone, with a goal to complete all upgrades by 2030.
Education Minister Lisa Beare, Burnaby East MLA Rohini Arora, and Burnaby school board chair Kristin Schnider attended the Stride Avenue opening Tuesday. The government says the pace of capital projects reflects its commitment to building school capacity alongside enrolment growth across the province.
The facts
How many school capital projects has B.C. completed since 2017?
250 projects have been completed since 2017, creating 4,700 new student seats.
How many new schools are opening for the coming school year?
Six entirely new schools are opening across six communities for the coming school year, along with 14 additions in 11 communities and three seismic replacements in three communities.
What is the deadline for completing seismic upgrades to schools?
The province aims to complete all seismic upgrades by 2030 as part of efforts to shield schools from risks posed by the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
Which school was the 250th completed capital project?
Stride Avenue Community Elementary in Burnaby was the 250th completed project, a seismically upgraded school designed to withstand earthquake damage.
