Burnaby North Secondary, one of B.C.’s largest schools, will be replaced with a new, seismically safer school, which will include new space for child care, adult education and language development programs.

The province will invest up to $79.2 million for the new, 1,800-seat school, which will be built on a different part of the current property, allowing students to remain in the existing school during construction. It is expected to be ready for students in September 2021.

“We are taking action to better protect Burnaby North students who have waited far too long for a new school,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education. “This new facility will bring countless benefits to the community and give students the best opportunity to succeed and help our province grow.”

Once complete, students will have a modern facility that supports 21st-century learning, giving them a better chance to succeed in an environment that aligns with modern education.

Child care, adult education and language development programs will be operated out of a new, 2,000 square-metre neighbourhood learning centre. This addition will help fill service gaps in the community and improve options for families and adults looking to continue their education. In addition to the modern amenities of a new school, the new Burnaby North Secondary will be built to LEED Gold standards to increase energy efficiency.

The replacement of Burnaby North was the Burnaby School District’s highest capital priority and was selected for funding due to its age, high seismic-risk rating and strong enrollment projections.

Since September 2017, the province has approved a total of $823.3 million in capital projects, including $466.6 million for seismic upgrades or replacements.

Burnaby North was built in 1955, with another building constructed in 1960. In 2014, the entire school was found as having a high risk of incurring damage in the event of an earthquake.