AS families prepare to send kids back to school in September, the Province says new schools and additions are opening in several growing communities, with thousands more spaces under construction throughout British Columbia.

“We’ve been working hard to build and deliver new schools to meet the needs of students now and in the future,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure, on Wednesday. “Our historic investments in school infrastructure are already making a meaningful difference for B.C. students, and we look forward to welcoming young learners into even more brand-new classrooms this fall.”

In Langford, one of the province’s fastest-growing cities, the new SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ Elementary school is set to open its doors. This school adds 480 seats for students in kindergarten through Grade 5 and will help meet long-term enrolment needs.

In Trail, the new Glenmerry Elementary is a full replacement school built at expanded capacity, adding 165 new student seats and increasing total capacity from 270 to 435 seats.

There are also new additions at five K-12 schools:

* in Abbotsford, Auguston Traditional Elementary and Margaret Stenerson Elementary are receiving new additions, creating a total of 360 new seats;

* in Delta, Ladner Elementary is adding 150 new seats;

* in Kelowna, Chief Tomat Elementary is adding 165 new seats; and

* in Richmond, R.C. Talmey Elementary is adding 150 new seats.

Students throughout the province will see more space this fall, with Surrey also adding 700 new seats and further expansions planned in Langley to keep up with growing communities.

The Province says that since 2017, it has committed more than $6 billion to school capital projects, creating nearly 43,000 new student spaces and more than 39,000 seismically safe seats in B.C. schools. As the province grows, B.C. is working with both school districts and municipalities to provide all students with safe, modern and inspiring places to learn.

B.C. Conservative Infrastructure critic Misty Van Popta is calling out the BC NDP for reannouncing delayed school projects in what she says is a bid to distract from their chronic failures to deliver new classroom spaces on time.

“Parents in growing communities are desperate for classroom space. Instead of announcing what’s actually funded in this year’s budget, the NDP is dusting off years-old promises and pretending they’re new,” said Van Popta. “It’s smoke and mirrors. The reality is three major projects are already up to four years behind schedule, and not one of the reannouncements today was new.”

She said that according to details provided by this government:

* Abbotsford: Additions at Auguston Traditional Elementary and Margaret Stenerson Elementary were announced in September 2022 with completion promised for 2024. Both have been delayed to Fall 2025.

* Trail (Kootenay-Columbia): The Glenmerry Elementary replacement school was announced in March 2021 with a Spring 2024 completion date. It has been delayed to Fall 2025.

* Surrey: Theresa Clarke Elementary was supposed to add 325 seats but has been reduced to 225. It has been delayed for 18 months and no work has been started.

“These projects were supposed to already be open and serving students. Families were promised relief last year, not sometime in the future.” Van Popta said.

“Langley families are waiting, Surrey families are waiting, Abbotsford families are waiting. The NDP’s record is delay and disappointment.”