Project Overview

VSB continues early work on a new elementary school planned for the Lord Roberts Annex site. Staff are coordinating with BC Hydro's planning, design and upcoming construction of the new substation.

Background

In 2018, VSB reached an agreement with BC Hydro to sell the underground development rights (parcel) at the Lord Roberts Annex site for BC Hydro to build a new substation serving the downtown core.

The funds received from BC Hydro were intended to support the design and construction of two schools in the downtown area of Vancouver. cəw̓as Ch'elxwá7elch Skwuláw̓txw Seaside Elementary is currently under construction and scheduled to be completed and ready for students for September 2026. The second project is the construction of a new elementary school at the Lord Roberts Annex site.

About the Planned New School

• Designed for 450 elementary students and 60 kindergarten students
• Planned as a three-storey building
• Designed to have a limited-scope underground parkade that shares the same vehicle entry and ramp as the BC Hydro substation
• The school will be located directly adjacent to the underground substation and will use the waste heat extracted from the substation for heating, supporting enhanced sustainability objectives

Why Additional Planning is Needed

• Since the original agreement in 2018, construction costs have risen across all capital projects
• Cost increases are linked to material prices, supply chain issues, labour availability and general escalation
• Because of these pressures, the project has been added to VSB's Five Year Major Capital Plan submissions to the Province in June 2024 and again in June 2025

What is Happening Now

Since 2021, VSB and its architect team have been advancing the school design which has included a series of visioning sessions.

Between 2021 and 2025, meetings and engagement workshops were held with VSB leadership, school communities and various stakeholders to confirm objectives, define goals and refine design concepts. Incorporating this feedback, the school design has continued to evolve in parallel with the design of the substation.

BC Hydro must first complete the substation work before VSB can start constructing a school above grade. Substation construction is complicated and typically takes several years. As such, construction of the above grade school building is not expected until 2030 or later.

In the absence of confirmed funding, VSB has developed plans to prepare the site for the future school. This includes designing and building shared elements with BC Hydro such as the below grade structures that will impact the future school design. This mitigation strategy future proofs the site so the school can be integrated with the new substation once full funding is secured.

In the coming weeks, Development Permit signage will be installed onsite.

Preliminary rendering showing the general concept for the new school. Please note this is subject to change. 

Upcoming Key Project Milestones

For More Details

• About BC Hydro's work, visit their website
• Review what we've heard so far in our engagement summary report