Each year, the Richmond School District submits a Five-Year Capital Plan to the Ministry of Education and Child Care. This plan outlines proposed major and minor capital projects that support educational programming and address enrolment growth, seismic safety, and school facility needs. 

As a condition of funding, all capital projects must align with the district’s Long Range Facilities Plan, which outlines long-term strategies for managing school space, supporting educational goals and responding to enrolment changes.

Major Capital Projects

(Projects over $1.5 million, typically taking multiple years to complete)

  • Seismic Mitigation Program (SMP) – structural upgrades to schools for earthquake safety. For information about seismic upgrades specifically, please visit the Seismic Mitigation Program page.

  • School Expansion Program (EXP) – additions to existing schools to accommodate enrolment growth.

  • School Replacement Program (REP) – replacing aging facilities with new school buildings.

  • Rural Districts Program (RDP) – supports capital needs in rural areas (not applicable in Richmond).

In recent years, the Richmond School District has received funding for classroom additions through the Prefabricated Classrooms Program to address rapid growth in areas such as Richmond City Centre and Hamilton.

Minor Capital Projects

(Projects under $1.5 million, typically completed within one year)

  • School Enhancement Program (SEP) – facility upgrades (e.g. roofs, HVAC, flooring).

  • Carbon Neutral Capital Program (CNCP) – energy efficiency improvements.

  • Bus Replacement Program (BUS) – acquisition of new school buses.

  • Playground Equipment Program (PEP) – accessible and inclusive playground upgrades.

Building Envelope Program (BEP)

This program provides funding to address water damage in schools built between 1985 and 2000 due to building envelope failure. Projects are submitted for approval as part of the capital planning process.

Documentation