Today students and staff at Maple Grove Elementary School celebrate their entry into their new seismically safe replacement school.

"It remains one of the top priorities of the Vancouver School District to ensure all students attend seismically safe schools as quickly as possible," says Janet Fraser, Vancouver School District Board Chair. "We are pleased this new school brings us one step closer to this goal."

As part of the seismic mitigation program, the Ministry of Education allocated $24.4 million to fully replace Maple Grove Elementary school. The new school building provides current students and future students with a safe, modern, learning environment.

The replacement school incorporates 21st century design to optimize flexible learning spaces and maximize student collaboration. "Maple Grove Elementary students are so excited to move into the new, inspiring learning environment," says Peter Evans, Maple Grove Elementary principal.

The fully accessible facility is built to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standard and supports B.C.'s new curriculum with modern and open learning spaces.

QUICK FACTS

• The majority of the original Maple Grove Elementary was constructed in the 1920s, almost 100 years ago.
• Construction of the new school began in March 2019 and was completed in November 2020.
• There are currently 495 kindergarten to Grade 7 students enrolled at Maple Grove Elementary.
• The childcare program, operated by YMCA, will also move into the new building.