SURREY: After much speculation and questioning about missing funds for Surrey schools, the BC government was quick to announce two new Surrey school projects as part of Budget 2024.
A new Darts Hill area elementary and an addition to Grandview Heights Secondary are supported to begin planning as part of Budget 2024, which is the largest school capital budget in the Province’s history.
“Supported to begin planning” means government is supporting the school district to proceed with developing a business case for both the Darts Hill Elementary and Grandview Heights Secondary projects.
When finalized, the business cases, which detail the scope, schedule and budget for the projects, will be brought forward to government for final funding approval. Depending on the scale of a project, a finalized business case takes an average of eight months. Following funding approval, the projects proceed to design and construction.
“Over the past six years, the Province has invested significantly in new and expanded schools in Surrey with more than $750 million to create 12,400 new student seats. Construction is currently underway for the new Snokomish Elementary and Ta’talu Elementary, and additions to Semiahmoo Trail Elementary and South Meridian Elementary. In 2023, school additions opened at K.B. Woodward Elementary, Morgan Elementary, White Rock Elementary and Sunnyside Elementary with funding announced to expand Tamanawis Secondary, Guildford Park Secondary and Kwantlen Park Secondary school,” said Rachna Singh, education minister.
