Approved: QE expansion of 13 new classrooms!

We are so excited to finally get to share this news with you: the Ministry of Education has officially announced that they will invest $20.1 million to support the proposed expansion of Queen Elizabeth Elementary!

What does this news mean?

• We will be creating space for approximately 300 students, through 13 new classrooms!
• This funding will also support the addition of a neighbourhood learning centre within the school, which will be used to create child care options for families.
• Through the 2021-22 school year, work will be done to move portables, as the crews make space for the various stages of the work to commence. And over the course of the upcoming year there will be work done to create the design and construction documentation required to get us ready to tender for construction.
• Construction is expected to begin in summer 2022.
• The newly expanded classrooms are expected to be ready for students in early 2024!

As one of the fastest growing Metro Districts, this announcement is being welcomed by all!

“This is such an important investment in our community: one that reflects and responds to some of the significant needs of our growing district and their families,” reflected School Board Chair Gurveen Dhaliwal. “We welcome this news as the expansion will enable more connection, collaboration and improved learning conditions for all students and staff, and the child care spaces will play a vital role in allowing us to better support parents who are working hard as they raise their families.”

And similar excitement is being shared by leadership and staff at the school, as well as by Bernadette Gourlay, President of the school’s parent advisory council, “On behalf of the parent community, the parent advisory council would like to extend
our appreciation for all those that advocated for Queen Elizabeth getting our kids out of
portables and into a school expansion. The expansion means a lot to the families of our growing community, and we look forward to participating in the process.”

So onward we go, with much more to come on this important and exciting step forward … as we look to support the diverse needs of students, staff and our New Westminster community.