New $40 million school for Lake Country

Clarification from School District 23 issued Jan. 20, 2020:

Central Okanagan Public Schools is in discussions with a provider to offer childcare services on the George Elliot Secondary School and H.S. Grenda
Middle School campuses in Lake Country.

The District would like to clarify a statement from a recent BC Ministry of Education news release, which mentioned that the neighbourhoods of
learning space, to be built within the new H.S. Grenda Middle School, would be devoted to childcare.

The District is still in talks with community partners to reach a decision on the use of the neighbourhoods of learning space within H.S. Grenda Middle School.

Central Okanagan Public Schools continues to support the Province’s priority to encourage affordable, quality childcare and recognizes the need for these services in the community.

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Jan. 17

Construction has begun on a new school in Lake Country.

H.S. Grenda Middle School is being built on land south of George Elliot Secondary School and is expected to be ready for students in September 2021.

“Students and families in Lake Country have been waiting years for this school, and it’s so exciting to see it moving forward,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education. “Our government took quick action on this investment, so more students can have a better place to go to school.”

The new school will include a Neighbourhood Learning Centre that Central Okanagan Public Schools intends to use for child care.

“Parents throughout the province, and especially in rural areas, have struggled to find quality affordable child care for too long,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development. “By partnering with school districts, we can create new quality child care spaces more quickly and bring child care closer to home for Lake Country families.”

The B.C. government is providing $35.1 million for the new school, while the Central Okanagan Board of Education’s share of the cost is $5.3 million.

The new facility will add 600 student seats to Lake Country, eliminating the equivalent of 24 portables so students can be better connected to their school community.

“We are very excited that work is underway on a new middle school to serve the growing community of Lake Country,” said Moyra Baxter, chair of Central Okanagan Public Schools Board of Education. “H.S. Grenda Middle School will serve our students well by supporting grade reconfiguration in the area and providing an innovative learning environment.”