As many Willoughby-area parents predicted, the new Yorkson middle school will open in September above capacity.
The $26.2 million LEED design school at 20626 84 Ave. has the capacity for 750 students.
But projected enrolment is likely around 800 students arriving for the first day of school in September, said Langley School District secretary-treasurer David Green.
With this knowledge in hand, the district has put three portables at the back of the school to accommodate the future overflow of Grade 6 to 8 students.
The middle school allowed for the Langley School District to reconfigure all other Willoughby-area elementary schools to Grades K-5.
The new school will also include a neighbourhood learning centre with community programming for local families.
“The portables may not be used for 2014, but will be used for 2015.
“We had to put the portables in now because it is less costly. If we put them in next year, we would have had to chew up the new field to get them in,” said Green
Langley School District staff have already been behind the scenes trying to figure out a safe walking route for students.
“Because the location of the school is on 84 Avenue, and the amount of buses going to and from the school will be significant we needed to address a safe walking route,” Green said at the last board of education meeting.
A staging area being used by a townhouse developer at 207 Street and 82 Avenue will turn into a drop-off area for students, said Green.
The district plans to finish a gravel walking path along 207 Street, connecting to the school, so students don’t have to walk on the road.
