STUDENTS, families and staff can look forward to school improvements in Abbotsford that include a completed seismic safety upgrade this year.
“Our government is committed to building, expanding and upgrading schools throughout B.C.,” said Rachna Singh, Minister of Education and Child Care, on Tuesday. “As more families make Abbotsford their home, the addition of 360 new seats in Abbotsford schools is good news for this growing community.”
Construction has started on eight classroom additions at both Auguston Traditional and Margaret Stenersen elementary schools with $23.2 million from the Province. Once complete, 360 new student seats will be added to the growing district. The addition of 180 new seats at Auguston Traditional Elementary school will alleviate enrolment pressure and allow space for child care once again. Two purpose-built child care classrooms will also be built at Margaret Stenersen to provide care for children as old as four.
Construction is also complete on seismic upgrades at Abbotsford Traditional Secondary. The Province invested almost $19 million to make the building seismically safer. As a result, 750 students are learning in a seismically safer environment.
Students will be accommodated on site during construction at Auguston and Margaret Stenersen schools with both projects expected to be complete in summer 2024.
CHILLIWACK
A new elementary school is on the way for families in the fast-growing community of Chilliwack.
“As more families move to Chilliwack, this new elementary school will serve students for years to come. In fall 2026, the East Side Elementary School will welcome 500 students to a brand-new modern facility,” said Singh.
To support growth in Chilliwack, the Province is providing $58.6 million to build a new elementary school on Chilliwack’s east side with room for 500 students. The school will include a neighbourhood learning centre for community programming, such as child care. The school’s design will include features such as low-energy LED lighting and heat pumps that help to facilitate cooling, while also reducing the building’s energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions throughout the building’s lifetime.
Construction will start in late 2024 and the new school will be ready for students in fall 2026.
RICHMOND
Students and staff in Richmond are learning and working in seismically safer schools now that upgrades are complete at James Whiteside Elementary and William Bridge Elementary schools.
Funding has also been approved for seismic upgrades for Alfred B. Dixon Elementary school.
The Province funded more than $30 million for seismic upgrades at James Whiteside and William Bridge elementary schools that will benefit almost 700 students. The school district contributed $2.1 million for work at James Whiteside Elementary.
The Province is also investing $31.3 million toward seismic upgrades at Alfred B. Dixon Elementary. Those seismic upgrades are expected to be complete by May 2026.
