The Richmond Board of Education is pleased to announce plans for a K–7 school at 8671 Odlin Crescent. With support from the provincial government, this project represents a major investment in public education infrastructure in Richmond’s city centre.
The addition of this elementary school directly aligns with the district’s Long-Range Facilities Plan, which emphasizes the importance of creating more space in high-growth areas. In city centre alone, student enrolment has increased by 42 percent over the past four years, and schools originally built for 1,641 students are now serving more than 2,000 students. Addressing this challenge today helps ensure that tomorrow’s students will continue to learn in neighbourhood schools.
The site also includes an existing school building that previously operated as a private school. Having a school building already in place, the district can advance the project more quickly and cost effectively than if it were undertaking new construction. With necessary planning and upgrades, the new school could be ready to welcome students as early as September 2026.
“Richmond has experienced significant growth in recent years, and I commend the school district for recognizing this strategic opportunity,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “This acquisition will help deliver much-needed student spaces quickly. The new school will be centrally located, and we’ll work closely with the district to have it ready for students by 2026—part of our government’s broader commitment to create over 80,000 new spaces and deliver for families across B.C.”
The total purchase cost of the site, including the existing school facility, was $60 million. The provincial government contributed $6 million, with the Richmond School District funding the remaining amount. The sale of the former Steveston Secondary School was fundamental to making this purchase possible. The funds raised from that sale were designated specifically for capital use, meaning they could only be used for major projects such as purchasing land or building schools. Since the sale, the board has advocated to the Province, engaged with the city, and explored a variety of opportunities — all with the goal of investing these funds back into the community in a way that meets the district’s long-term infrastructure needs.
"The Board of Education is proud to invest in the future of Richmond by purchasing a new school site to help address enrolment growth in our city centre," said Chairperson, Ken Hamaguchi. "The proceeds from the sale of the former Steveston Secondary School were always intended to support the long-term infrastructure needs of our community. Today’s announcement reflects the board’s commitment to thoughtful planning and to supporting students for years to come."
Moving forward, the district will begin the necessary next steps to prepare the new school for students. This includes undertaking a boundary review process, tentatively scheduled to begin in Fall 2025. A boundary review will examine which neighbourhoods are assigned to which schools, helping to ensure balanced enrolment across the district. The review will focus on neighbourhoods near the new school and is not expected to impact the majority of students across the district. Families, community members, staff, students and partner groups will have the opportunity to provide input through the process, and their feedback will help inform how the new school integrates into the broader school network.
This announcement represents a significant step forward for the Richmond School District. It reflects a strong investment in the future of students and brings the district closer to opening a new school that will serve the evolving needs of the Richmond community.
“Securing this site in the city centre helps quickly plan for a school where it’s needed most for Richmond students and families,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care. “This is an important step to making sure students have room to learn and grow close to home.”