Premier John Horgan was in town today and he had a major announcement to make for students and families in Lake Country.
A new middle school will be constructed in Winfield with a scheduled opening date of September 2021.
The school will offer 600 new spaces for students in grades 6 to 8, providing some much-needed relief for Lake Country schools that are currently at 125% capacity.
"It is time for families in Lake Country to get the new school they have been hoping and waiting for, so their community can continue to grow while their kids thrive," said Premier Horgan.
"Investing in public schools is the right thing to do for families, for communities and for our province. It's the key to a stronger economy and a brighter future for all of us."
The investment from the province is $35.1 million and the Central Okanagan School District is contributing an extra $1.5 million to the project.
The school district has already spent $3.8 million on the land for the new school, which is located south of George Elliot Secondary school.
"This new middle school will allow us to continue building a district-wide grade configuration that suits learners at all levels," said Moyra Baxter, chairperson of the Central Okanagan Board of Education.
"It will also relieve some of the pressure on our schools so we can serve learners in the growing community of Lake Country for years to come."
Construction of the middle school, along with a neighbourhood learning centre for the community on the same site, is expected to begin in May 2019.
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