More than 3,000 new student seats opening in B.C.

British Columbia will welcome over 3,000 new student seats as the school year begins, reflecting ongoing efforts to accommodate rising enrollment. Key developments include the opening of the SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ Elementary in Langford, adding 480 seats, and the replacement of Glenmerry Elementary in Trail, which will boost capacity to 435 seats. Several K-12 schools are also expanding, with Abbotsford, Delta, Kelowna, and Richmond adding a combined total of over 800 new seats. Minister of Education Lisa Beare emphasized that creating the right learning environment is crucial for student success. Since 2017, the provincial government has committed more than $6 billion to school capital projects, resulting in nearly 43,000 new student spaces and over 39,000 seismically safe seats.

Local leaders, including MLAs, expressed enthusiasm for the new facilities, highlighting their importance for community growth and student well-being. The opening of these schools aligns with the province's commitment to modernizing education infrastructure. As B. C. continues to grow, collaboration with school districts and municipalities remains essential to provide safe and inspiring learning environments.