When provincial funding to acquire a new middle school site was withdrawn, New Westminster Schools was directed to create additional student spaces on existing district-owned property.
The Ministry of Infrastructure identified Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary as the target site due to its central location, favourable ground conditions, and large lot size. To address severe current and projected seat shortages, the district was instructed to submit a formal business case that significantly increases the number of students this site can accommodate.
This directive was incorporated into our ongoing Long-Range Facilities Plan (LRFP) update, resulting in two primary redevelopment options. After deliberations, the Board of Education decided on supporting “Scenario A” detailed below.
Outcomes
Scenario A extends our planning to 2040 and focuses on three major shifts:
- Moving to a K-7 and 8-12 grade model.
- Building a 2,300-seat “super campus” at the Tweedsmuir site.
- Converting our middle schools into elementary spaces.
The plan resolves our most pressing capacity challenges through 2036 while aiming to secure land for the schools we will need in the decades to follow.
Note: There will be some overlap in the way students are placed at their grade levels during the initial transition period.
Proposed grade structure
Under Scenario A, the district would transition to a streamlined two-tier model to better use school space:
- Elementary Schools: Kindergarten to Grade 7.
- Secondary Schools: Grade 8 to Grade 12.
Key projects and timeline
This scenario outlines a three-phase approach to increase capacity and modernize our facilities:
Phase 1: 2026-2036
- Tweedsmuir “super campus”: Construction of a new 2,300-seat Junior-Secondary school (Grades 6-12) to resolve capacity pressures through 2036.
- Middle School Conversions: Renovating all three current middle schools to serve as K-7 elementary schools.
Phase 2: 2036-2040
- Lord Kelvin Replacement: Building a larger school for 650–800 students.
- Hume Park: Opening a new elementary school and completing essential seismic safety upgrades.
Phase 3: After 2040
- Fraser River Zone: Building a new elementary school to support continued residential growth in the area.
Project considerations
To support this scenario, the district will need to secure land for the RCAP/POWER, Hume Park, and future Fraser River Zone school projects.
While Scenario A addresses enrolment challenges for the next decade, additional projects in the Glenbrook and Fraser River zones will still be required after 2036 to keep pace with our growing city.
Please note the following FAQ will be updated over time to include more questions from our community about the Tweedsmuir redevelopment project.
New Westminster Schools will work with our partners in government and Burnaby Schools (SD41) to ensure all answers are as complete and accurate as possible.
Questions and Answers
How did we get here?
There is a need to address enrolment pressure in New West. In recent years, significant effort was put into acquiring a school site and this proved to be very challenging. The ability to densify the Tweedsmuir site will allow us to alleviate capacity pressures in a very meaningful way. Not just in the localized part of that community, but more broadly.
What happens next?
Government supported the District to proceed with a business case as part of Budget 2026. The District will work with the Ministry of Infrastructure on a business case for the redevelopment of the Lord Tweedsmuir site.
The business case will complete a detailed review of the specifics of the redevelopment, including the scope, schedule and budget for the project. Once finalized, it will be brought forward to government for a funding approval decision.
What is the redevelopment plan?
A larger capacity option is being explored as part of the business case, which includes the possibility of two schools on the Tweedsmuir site. During construction of the two new schools, students and staff at Lord Tweedsmuir will relocate to Stride.
What specific measures will be taken to minimize disruption for the students and families affected by the proposed relocation?
Keeping students together in their community is important, and by allowing the whole of the community to move together, it creates a more positive learning environment for kids. This is being investigated as part of the business case.
What are the next steps?
The District will complete its business case and submit it to government in 2026. Government decisions will become known through annual budget cycles. Lord Tweedsmuir students will remain at their current school for the next school year.
More information will be communicated as next steps are confirmed.
What do the plans for the two schools look like?
This is yet to be determined. We are at the very early stages of our planning and this will not be known for some time. During business case development, the District may have a better idea of school siting but not what the school will look like. As with all our capital projects, draft designs will be shared with the community and public information sessions/open houses will happen.
Will there be teacher parking at Stride?
Yes. We are working with Burnaby schools on a staff parking plan.
What is library space like at Stride?
Stride has an existing library space, and Tweedsmuir’s library resources will move with students to ensure continuity.
Is there a bus stop for those using the accessibility bus at Stride?
Yes. Operational plans will be made to ensure students accessing Stride Avenue Community School by bus will have a safe and appropriate place to get on and off the bus.
What analysis has been done regarding the traffic impact of expanding to two schools at the Lord Tweedsmuir site?
Traffic impacts will be fully assessed as part of the business case, and any required mitigation measures will be identified.
Students and programs
Is this move for French and English?
This move is applicable for the whole of community which includes both the English and French programs.
What is the capacity of Stride? Does Stride have capacity for the French students?
Stride has capacity to accommodate all Lord Tweedsmuir students. The whole student population and staff will move to Stride.
Will this be K-5 or K-6?
We do not know what school configuration of schools will be built on the site. We are currently refreshing the District’s Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP) as part of our yearly capital. Within this strategic work, the Board will consider which configuration best supports our needs, which will guide what projects to put forward in our capital plan requests to the Ministry of Infrastructure. The LRFP recommendations are coming before the board in June 2026. Based on the approved recommendations, this will guide the requests to government on the type and size of school at Tweedsmuir and other sites.
Will any school programs be affected by this?
No program impacts are anticipated based on what we know today.
In 2027–28 my daughter will be in Grade 6. Where will she go? Will she be at Stride, Glenbrook, will EFI and LFI students get moved to Spencer?
Planning is still underway. Based on what we know today, a student entering Grade 6 will attend Glenbrook Middle School to join the French immersion peer group that attends that school.
Facilities and construction
Why can’t one building be constructed while continuing to allow access to the existing building for students and families?
Building the full project at once is the most feasible option to minimize the overall construction timeline and reduce long‑term disruption for students.
What are the opportunities for outdoor learning?
Our school administration team will work through what opportunities can exist at the Stride Avenue school site.
From the perspective of the new construction at Lord Tweedsmuir, it is too early to say what outdoor play or learning spaces students will have access to as we have just started developing a business case. We are not yet at the building/site design.
What is the status of the Stride Avenue school we will be moving into?
Stride Avenue school is in operational order, and students are currently attending the school.
The Province will make sure the school is inspected for safety prior to the move from Tweedsmuir.
Will the students from both Tweeds and Stride be sharing the same greenspace and playground?
Yes, both schools will be sharing the greenspace on site. Work will be underway between schools to determine how best to allow students and staff to make use and enjoy the space.
Finance, staffing, and operations
How will this move affect both private and District-operated daycares at Tweeds?
The District remains committed to maintaining the number of spaces within the District.
It is the District’s intent that the school aged care operated by WCAS and the District will be relocated to Stride Avenue Community School. We are working with WCAS to confirm and will support any needed licensing matters to ensure this is done seamlessly if they are supportive of the temporary relocation.
We are working closely with childcare partners to identify options for the infant/toddler program. Families will receive updates well in advance of any required changes.
How are we paying for this move?
Relocation costs will be covered by the provincial government, as part of the overall capital project budget. District operating funds will not be used.
What is the cost of two new schools? Where is the funding coming from?
The cost of the two schools will be developed during the creation of our business case. If the business case is approved, the funding will come from the provincial government through the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Was retention of current teachers, EAs and other staff taken into consideration? If so, what?
This is always a consideration. We know that these two, new, modern schools will help us care for our students and staff.
Will there be a PAC at the temporary school?
While the physical school space is being relocated, there are no changes to the functionality as it exists today. The Lord Tweedsmuir PAC can continue as it is to support its school and students.
If PAC funds remain, what happens to them?
There is no change. The Lord Tweedsmuir PAC will continue to function as it currently does.
Will Tweedsmuir Teachers and Staff be moved together to the temporary location and then to the new school(s)?
The intention is to relocate the whole school as is. Of course, as there is every year through collective agreement bid processes, there may be some staff movement.