Funding for new elementary school, additions to two others in Surrey, White Rock

SURREY (NEWS 1130) — The province announced $57 million Thursday for a new elementary school in Surrey and an addition to one in White Rock to cope with growth and reduce portables in the district.

The new Sunnyside Heights elementary in Surrey will have 655 student seats. Expansion at White Rock elementary will include 195 seats, while Morgan elementary in Surrey will get another 190.

“With these projects now approved, there are nearly 8,700 new students seats opening in the Surrey school district between September 2018 and 2023. This is the equivalent of eliminating 350 portables throughout the Surrey school district,” said Education Minster Rob Fleming.

.@Rob_Fleming announces new Sunnyside Heights elementary school in #SurreyBC and other additions will eliminate need for 350 portables in @Surrey_Schools District 36.
He says 655-seat school set to open in 2023 with 11-thousand+ spaces now in works. #education #bcpoli @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) June 4, 2020

“We’re trying to do two things at once. Make good on the backlog of ignored, neglected projects by the previous government, as well as account for new growth. Between 2018 and 2023, we’re talking about 8,700 new spaces available,” he added.

Sunnyside Heights, to cost $44 million, is expected to open in 2023, adding classroom space to the growing Grandview Heights neighbourhood.

Fleming added funding for the new and expanded schools brings the total to $363 million invested in Surrey capital projects in around the past three years.

“We’re pleased that government has made getting students out of portables and back into classrooms a reality in our district,” said Terry Allen, vice-chair, Surrey Board of Education. “This investment will help address the exponential growth our district has been experiencing in many of our South Surrey and White Rock neighbourhoods.”

Adding 190 seats to Morgan elementary will cost $10.4 million and remove five portables at the school. Construction is expected to start next fall and finish in December 2022.

The new addition at White Rock elementary will cost $7.6 million reduce the need for portables, according to the province. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2021 and finish by September 2022.

Surrey currently has 307 portables and Fleming said expansions to Morgan and White Rock Elementary will also help eliminate them, but it’s not clear yet how many off-site classrooms will still be needed this Fall.

-With files from Marcella Bernardo