An elementary in Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district's south end is expected to see relief from a capacity crunch with construction of a modular multi-classroom addition.
Chase River Elementary School will have a pre-fabricated extension attached in time for the 2025-26 school year, adding five classrooms and space for 125 students, the B.C. government announced in a press release. The school is built for 195 students, more with portables, and the announcement is welcome news, as Mark Walsh, district secretary-treasurer, told the News Bulletin, 2024-25 enrolment currently totalling 242 students.
"This expansion not only removes the need for portables on the site, in the immediate term it puts us in a position to address future growth in the south end," Walsh said in an e-mail. "Our projections for 2035 show significant growth and this expansion puts us in an excellent position to serve our learners in modern learning spaces."
Planning is currently underway and the district will endeavour to leave as much play space as possible for students, he said.
The press release stated the project is in line with the B.C. government's environmental and sustainability goals and the area's elected representative said he is happy to be assisting with the project.
"When people move to Nanaimo and the surrounding area, they should be able to start and grow their families knowing their kids can get quality education in the community," said Doug Routley, Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA, in the press release. "These five new prefabricated classrooms that will come to Chase River Elementary will mean the school can expand and grow with their students."
Chase River was among 89 schools in 10 districts getting new classrooms, the press release stated, with a commitment of close to $134 million from the B.C. Ministry of Education and Child Care.
The elementary school addition is similar to one announced for Wellington Secondary last month, which will add six classrooms and 150 seats in time for winter 2026.
The school district said it does not have a formal cost estimate for the project at this time. As a comparison, the Wellington project has a $9 million budget.
Walsh said the district still anticipates both modular and "stick built" school expansions going forward.
"For minor expansions, modulars are an excellent and relatively fast way to address growth in our community," he said.
