10 new classrooms coming to Coquitlam by fall 2024: province

Coquitlam is joining Surrey in adding hundreds of new seats for students in its school district by fall 2024.

The province says 10 new classrooms and 250 new student seats are on the way to Scott Creek Middle School by way of $15 million in government funding.

“As British Columbia’s population grows, we are expanding schools to welcome more students and families to modern classrooms,” said B.C.’s Minister of Education and Child Care, Rachna Singh.

“Our government will continue to build and improve schools in the Coquitlam School District and throughout B.C.”

As is the case with the additions coming to the Surrey School District, these new classrooms will come custom-made and prefabricated.

Coquitlam School District board chair Michael Thomas says increasing school capacity is important for the city’s growing community.

“Supported by our SD43 strategic plan, our district utilizes best practices and facilities research to create world-class facilities. We know this model works and we are confident this addition at Scott Creek Middle will serve students well for years to come,” he said.

“As more families continue to make Coquitlam their home, it’s important we keep up with the growing demand on our schools … with this addition at Scott Creek Middle School, we are making progress on meeting enrolment growth in our district,” Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Fin Donnelly added.

The province says it has approved over $300 million in funding to create 2,300 new seats for students in Coquitlam in the past years — most recently with Coast Salish Elementary gaining 430 new student spaces.