On Friday, April 5, 2024, the Ministry of Education and Child Care announced funding for a new school in Olympic Village for $150 million and an expansion of Henry Hudson Elementary for $15 million.  

“While there is still significant space for students in many Vancouver schools, we continue to see pockets of high of enrolment growth in areas such as Olympic Village and Kitsilano, and expect more growth from new developments such as the Sen̓áḵw development,” says Board Chair Victoria Jung. “The funding provided will significantly alleviate the enrolment pressures faced by these communities, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the province for their support.” 

The new four-story school in Olympic Village will serve 630 students. The facility will be built to LEED gold standards and will meet today’s benchmark for modern learning, safety, accessibility and sustainability.  

The new school will house a neighbourhood learning centre, providing space for 60 school-age children in need of before and after school child care. It will also feature an active rooftop, providing a private space for students to engage in various active or outdoor activities. This innovative approach ensures that children can play and learn outdoors by utilizing vertical design rather than expanding horizontally. 

The new school will be located at Hinge Park. A lease to secure the site was finalized and approved by City of Vancouver council. The identification of the site was part of the City's Southeast False Creek Official Development Plan adopted by City Council in 2007. In 2021, the ground lease was signed by City and the VSB.  

A school in Olympic Village has been the top priority in VSB’s capital plan for more than a decade, and this funding announcement marks a major milestone for VSB. Construction of the new school will begin in 2027, and the school is expected to be welcome students in 2029.  

“Our government is focused on building new and expanded schools in communities that are quickly growing and facing enrolment pressures,” said Rachna Singh, Minister of Education and Child Care. “As communities in B.C. continue to grow, we’ll continue to invest in services that families need.” 

The expansion of Henry Hudson Elementary school is another much welcomed announcement for the neighbourhood. Construction is expected to start in the summer, alongside the ongoing construction of the new seismically safe Henry Hudson Elementary. The addition comes with six more classrooms, more library space, additional resource rooms and a covered outdoor area. This will bring the new school from a capacity of 390 students to a capacity of 535 students, an additional 145 spaces.   “These investments will support families in our community for years to come once these projects are complete,” said Brenda Bailey, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek. “They mean so much more than just classrooms and childcare – they provide meaningful support to families ensuring they can stay in the neighbourhood they've come to love while maintaining our community’s wonderful diversity.”