Construction has begun on a new Abbotsford elementary school that will also provide child care spaces for the community.

The Government of B.C. is providing $24.7 million for the new, 460-seat Eagle Mountain Elementary school. The Abbotsford School District is contributing an additional $2.5 million.

The school is set to open its doors to students in September 2022. This will reduce enrolment pressure at nearby schools as more families move to the area and will eliminate the need for nearly 20 portables in the district.

The new school will also include a new neighbourhood learning centre. The centre will provide dedicated space for before- and after-school care, along with a large, centrally located multipurpose space for community use. With funding from the province’s Childcare BC New Spaces Fund, there will be nearly 100 child care spaces opening at the new school.

The new Eagle Mountain Elementary school will be an inclusive community amenity, providing child care for infant-toddlers, preschool and school-aged children in the community.

In addition to the new school, the province is also providing $18.9 million for seismic upgrades at Abbotsford Traditional school. The upgrades are also expected to be complete in September 2022 and give 750 students a safer place to go to school.

“We are very pleased to have a new school coming to the Abbotsford School District in 2022,” said Stan Petersen, chair, Abbotsford Board of Education. “Abbotsford has experienced exceptional growth over the last decade, and this new school will alleviate high capacity and projected future enrolment in the Eagle Mountain neighbourhood. We look forward to providing students and families with a modern and innovative learning space and accessible child care spaces.”