The BC government has approved $39.6 million to build a new elementary school in Langford, located in the fast-growing Latoria community.
The new school, built with an environmentally friendly design, will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions during construction and operation, and will provide 480 seats to new students.
It will also include a neighbourhood learning centre, which will be used for community programs such as child care, elevators and accessible gender-neutral washrooms.
“Every year, we see more and more families moving to Langford to raise their children, and we are supporting this growing community by building good schools close to home,” said Premier John Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca.
“By using mass timber in the construction of this school, we will also be supporting good-paying forestry jobs, reducing carbon pollution and keeping our kids learning in small class sizes.”
The school will be built using mass timber, implement the use of heat pumps, thick exterior wall insulation and unit ventilators in order to help lower the overall carbon footprint.
“Our government is making historic investments in school projects like this one, and after many years of underfunding by the old government, there’s more work to do. We are committed to building and expanding schools in communities throughout the province,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education and Child Care.
“This new school in Langford will be a space that fosters a sense of community and belonging, and it will meet the needs of a diverse group of students now and for future generations.”
The Sooke School District has committed to contributing an additional $1 million.
The school will be built adjacent to Latoria Road, on land purchased in 2020 with $7.7 million from the province and a contribution of $960,000 from the school district.
It’s expected to be ready for students by fall of 2025.
