‘New’ Langley high school already set for expansion

The new Langley Secondary is already due for an expansion, with the province announcing an additional 300 spaces.

“It is the oldest school in Langley – 114 years old to be exact – but you wouldn’t know it just by looking at it,” said Langley School District board chair Candy Ashdown. “This school has undergone many changes in recent years, and today I am pleased to be able to celebrate even more changes.”

The school underwent signficant change, reopening for the start of the 2020 school year.

The ministry of education contributed $25.8 million to the Langley Secondary expansion project, and the Langley school district added $426,000. The project included seismic upgrades and a partial replacement to the school, creating 800 seats for students in Grades 9 to 12.

Now the school will add another 300 students spaces.

“Langley is growing quickly and we’re committed to continuing to provide students, families, and staff with the schools and expansions they need,” said Rachna Singh, minister of education and child care, at Friday’s announcement. “That’s why we’re making investments to help meet the needs of students throughout B.C., now and in the future.”

Funding for as much as $27.9 million from the province has been approved for the 300-seat addition. The new spaces will include general instruction classrooms, foods classrooms, a science lab and special education rooms. The Langley School District is contributing an additional $1 million to the project.

Grade 12 student Megan Waddle spoke at the expansion announcement June 9.

“My hope is for current and future students to have the same experience that I had at this school, if not better because of these new opportunities ahead. I am grateful to be able to share with you what this school means to me,” she said.

Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2024. The addition is expected to be ready for students in fall 2025.

Ashdown noted that the district is continuing to see an increase in enrolment in elementary schools in this catchment including Nicomekl and Douglas Park.

“Students in B.C. and Langley deserve supportive classrooms where they can thrive,” said Andrew Mercier, MLA for Langley. “An addition at Langley Secondary is a top priority for families in this fast-growing area and I look forward to seeing how the addition serves this community.”

Since September 2017, approximately $230 million has been invested in the Langley School District. Other major capital projects include: a seismic upgrade and 275-seat expansion at Peter Ewart Middle school, which is underway; the completed 555-seat Donna Gabriel Robins Elementary school; and the recently announced 555-seat northeastern Latimer Elementary school.

Three site purchases have also been made: one for Donna Gabriel Robins Elementary; one for the new northeastern Latimer Elementary; and one for future Willoughby secondary and middle schools.

The Langley School District has contributed $12.2 million to these projects. Every site purchased is in partnership with the Township of Langley through a joint-use agreement. This partnership enables student access to playfields and first-class sports fields.

“Our district is welcoming more and more families to our schools at all grade levels every day,” said Candy Ashdown, chair, Langley Board of Education. “We know these new additional classroom spaces will help current and future students receive the best education possible and reach their full potential.”

Since September 2017, the Government of B.C. has announced $3.3 billion for new and improved schools, and land purchases for future schools throughout the province. This includes adding approximately 22,000 student spaces and 33,000 seismically safer seats in B.C. schools.

To support this momentum, Budget 2023 includes $3.4 billion for school capital investments to provide better places for students to learn.

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