The new 91原创 Secondary is already due for an expansion, with the province announcing an additional 300 spaces.

鈥淚t is the oldest school in 91原创 鈥� 114 years old to be exact 鈥� but you wouldn鈥檛 know it just by looking at it,鈥� said 91原创 School District board chair Candy Ashdown. 鈥淭his school has undergone many changes in recent years, and today I am pleased to be able to celebrate even more changes.鈥�

The school underwent signficant change, reopening for the start of the 2020 school year.

The ministry of education contributed $25.8 million to the 91原创 Secondary expansion project, and the 91原创 school district added $426,000. The project included seismic upgrades and a partial replacement to the school, creating 800 seats for students in Grades 9 to 12.

Now the school will add another 300 students spaces.

鈥�91原创 is growing quickly and we鈥檙e committed to continuing to provide students, families, and staff with the schools and expansions they need,鈥� said Rachna Singh, minister of education and child care, at Friday鈥檚 announcement. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we鈥檙e making investments to help meet the needs of students throughout B.C., now and in the future.鈥�

Funding for as much as $27.9 million from the province has been approved for the 300-seat addition. The new spaces will include general instruction classrooms, foods classrooms, a science lab and special education rooms. The 91原创 School District is contributing an additional $1 million to the project.

Grade 12 student Megan Waddle spoke at the expansion announcement June 9.

鈥淢y hope is for current and future students to have the same experience that I had at this school, if not better because of these new opportunities ahead. I am grateful to be able to share with you what this school means to me,鈥� she said.

Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2024. The addition is expected to be ready for students in fall 2025.

Ashdown noted that the district is continuing to see an increase in enrolment in elementary schools in this catchment including Nicomekl and Douglas Park.

鈥淪tudents in B.C. and 91原创 deserve supportive classrooms where they can thrive,鈥� said Andrew Mercier, MLA for 91原创. 鈥淎n addition at 91原创 Secondary is a top priority for families in this fast-growing area and I look forward to seeing how the addition serves this community.鈥�

Since September 2017, approximately $230 million has been invested in the 91原创 School District. Other major capital projects include: a seismic upgrade and 275-seat expansion at Peter Ewart Middle school, which is underway; the completed 555-seat Donna Gabriel Robins Elementary school; and the recently announced 555-seat northeastern Latimer Elementary school.

Three site purchases have also been made: one for Donna Gabriel Robins Elementary; one for the new northeastern Latimer Elementary; and one for future Willoughby secondary and middle schools.

The 91原创 School District has contributed $12.2 million to these projects. Every site purchased is in partnership with the Township of 91原创 through a joint-use agreement. This partnership enables student access to playfields and first-class sports fields.

鈥淥ur district is welcoming more and more families to our schools at all grade levels every day,鈥� said Candy Ashdown, chair, 91原创 Board of Education. 鈥淲e know these new additional classroom spaces will help current and future students receive the best education possible and reach their full potential.鈥�

Since September 2017, the Government of B.C. has announced $3.3 billion for new and improved schools, and land purchases for future schools throughout the province. This includes adding approximately 22,000 student spaces and 33,000 seismically safer seats in B.C. schools.

To support this momentum, Budget 2023 includes $3.4 billion for school capital investments to provide better places for students to learn.

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