Two new schools will be ready to welcome 1,200 students by September 2022 in West Langford: the Pexsiseṉ Elementary and Centre Mountain Lellum Middle schools.
With Construction already underway, the project now 25 per cent complete with structural steel is expected to arrive at the end of this month.
The two new schools at the corner of Constellation Avenue and the West Shore Parkway will cost $88.6 million, the funds provided by the provincial government.
“It’s no secret the West Shore is home to some of the fastest-growing communities in the province and an attractive place to raise a family. Our government made it a priority to build new and expanded schools to meet the growth,” said Premier John Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca.
“I am excited students in Langford will soon have the benefit of learning in modern, engaging and inspiring new schools designed to support student success.”
The province says the new schools will add 1,200 new student seats to the community, reducing the need for portables at nearby schools.
The groundwork has been completed for both sites, each with concrete foundations and retaining walls now in place, allowing for construction to begin.
In addition, there will be a new neighbourhood learning centre on-site with new, before- and after-school child care spaces.
Something Mitzi Dean, the Minister of Children and Family Development, says is needed to make life easier for parents.
“By providing child care on school grounds, especially in busy communities like the West Shore, we can help make pickups and drop-offs easier for parents and inspire young children to become lifelong learners,” said Dean.
Building two new schools in West Langford is part of the Province’s plan to add new student spaces in fast-growing communities throughout B.C. to reduce the need for portables.
“As a board of education, we work hard to ensure there are neighbourhood schools for our communities,” says Ravi Parmar, chair, Sooke Board of Education. “These schools help us on our path to providing leadership in educational stewardship, while fostering choice and diversity for both our students and staff.”
The names of the schools honour First Nations communities in Greater Victoria.
Pexsiseṉ (PUXX/SEE/SUNG) is a Lekwungen and SENĆOŦEN word gifted to the Sooke School District by the Songhees First Nation that means “the opening of hands” or “to have one’s hands wide open.”
The term Lellum (LAY-LUM) in Centre Mountain Lellum was gifted to the Sooke School District by Sc’ianew Nation (Beecher Bay) and carries the meaning of house and the idea of community, where children are raised.
Since September 2017, government has announced more than $2.2 billion for school construction projects in B.C.
Approximately $187 million has been allocated for the Sooke School District to add 1,800 new student seats at three schools and the purchase of five sites for future schools to meet expected growth on the West Shore.
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Rebecca Lawrence
