Thursday, March 28, 2024

B.C. government makes land purchase for elementary school in Langford

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The provincial government has purchased a new site for a future elementary school in Langford this week to keep up with its rapidly growing population.

“More and more families are continuing to call Langford their home, and we need to make sure there are safe and modern schools in place ready to welcome their children,” said Premier John Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca, on Friday, May 18.

The province is providing $6.6 million to purchase six acres of land in the North Langford area of the Sooke School District. Major housing developments are in the works for the area, known as the South Skirt Mountain site.

The new elementary school will ease some of the pressure on enrolment at the nearby Lakewood Elementary and Millstream Elementary schools.

There were 18,840 Langford residents in 2001, which grew to 35,342 people in 2016. The population is projected to grow to over 42,000 by 2026, making it the fastest growing community in the Capital Region District.

“The Sooke School District is one of the fastest growing in B.C., with a projected increase of 1,800 students in the next five years,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education. “That’s why we’re making this important investment now, so families settling in this new neighbourhood will have peace of mind knowing there are plans for a school for their children.”

The land purchase is part of the government’s commitment of $423.1 million in school capital projects throughout the province. This year’s budget invests a record $2 billion in school capital projects over the next three years.

Last March, the government provided $23.2 million for a 600-seat expansion to Royal Bay Secondary in Colwood. The school is already operating at 135% capacity, and is projected to reach 177% by 2026 without an expansion.

 

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Myles Sauer
Former staff editor and writer at Victoria Buzz.

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