The Abbotsford school district is trying to determine the catchment area for a new elementary school it hopes to build on Eagle Mountain.
Ray Velestuk, the district’s secretary treasurer, is leading a boundary review for the proposed Eagle Mountain Elementary. The district’s plan to build a $13.9 million facility on land adjacent to Eagle Mountain Park, near the intersection of Eagle Mountain Drive and Goodbrand Drive, is the most urgent proposal to alleviate crowded schools in Abbotsford’s east side, he said.
The three elementary schools in the Eagle Mountain area – McMillan, Mountain and Prince Charles – are currently running at 104.5 per cent of their operating capacity. Without a new school, this figure is projected to increase to 120 per cent by 2020 and 157 per cent by 2028.
Velestuk said he is looking at demographic, geographic and city planning data to determine the exact boundaries of the proposed school. The district will also invite area residents to a public forum in early January to give input in the process.
Velestuk said the district is in the final stages of a project definition report it plans to deliver to the province before Christmas. The report will give a detailed plan and budget for the project.
After that, it’s a matter of getting the funding go-ahead from the province. That money, Velestuk said, could come as a result of the NDP’s first full budget in the spring.
@KelvinGawley
kelvin.gawley@abbynews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
