New Westminster Schools cordially invites the public and district families to attend an in-person and virtual public information session where they can learn more about the 2026 update to our Long Term Facilities Plan.

  • WHERE: Board Office (811 Ontario Street)
  • WHEN: June 1, 2026 (time TBD)
  • VIRTUAL LINK: The virtual Zoom link will be posted when available.

What is the Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP)?

The Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP) is a provincially mandated document that serves as a district’s strategic roadmap, ensuring every school building and capital project supports student success. It provides a framework that helps the Board of Education make informed decisions about where to build, how to manage school boundaries, and how to maintain safe, modern facilities. 

Originally adopted in 2019 and refreshed in 2021 and 2023 to reflect rapid local development, the LRFP remains the foundation for our Annual Five-Year Capital Plan. This plan is submitted yearly to the Ministry of Education and Child Care to secure capital funding for priority projects. 

What the LRFP does

The plan guides the district in prioritizing capital projects through additions, replacement and/or brand new construction where it is needed most. By looking ahead, the Board can address current and expected enrolment growth. 

Key factors we consider

Creating an effective plan requires a deep dive into the big picture. We analyze 15-year enrolment projections and community demographics alongside the physical condition and capacity of our current buildings. We also account for evolving educational needs, local land-use changes, and student transportation to ensure our schools remain accessible as New Westminster grows. 

Long Range Facilities Plan 2026 update

The 2026 update to the LRFP marks a shift in our district’s vision, as we adapt our land acquisition recommendations for a new middle school to reflect current provincial capital priorities. The scenarios being put forth are grounded in the government’s support for a site redevelopment to increase the density of Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary. As a result, we are realigning our capital plans to this direction to ensure our infrastructure remains robust and sufficient for our students.

Adapting to new opportunities

This update also reflects a major strategic shift in response to new provincial possibilities. Specifically, the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s interest in a “super campus” business case for the École Lord Tweedsmuir site (potentially housing two schools on one property) requires us to rethink our broader capital strategy. 

We are currently evaluating two distinct paths, Scenario A and Scenario B, which will define the future of the Tweedsmuir campus. While both options are designed to resolve our immediate and future capacity challenges through 2036, they represent different long-term visions for the site.  

Regardless of which scenario is selected, the district will require additional capital projects in the future to keep pace with New Westminster’s anticipated growth. Because a project of this scale has a ripple effect on the entire district, the 2026 update adjusts our long-range projections to ensure our overall plan remains cohesive and effective. 

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