Project Overview

VSB continues planning and design work for a new elementary school at the Lord Roberts Annex site. This project is being planned and developed in coordination with BC Hydro’s new substation.

Background

In 2018, VSB reached an agreement with BC Hydro to sell the underground development rights (parcel) at the Lord Roberts Annex site for BC Hydro to build a new substation serving the downtown core.

The funds received from BC Hydro supported the design and construction of two schools in the downtown area of Vancouver. cəw̓as Ch'elxwá7elch Skwuláw̓txw Seaside Elementary is currently under construction and scheduled to be completed and ready for students for September 2026. The second project is the construction of a new elementary school at the Lord Roberts Annex site.

About the Planned New School

Designed for 450 elementary students and 60 kindergarten students

Planned as a three-storey building

Designed to have a limited-scope underground parkade that shares the same vehicle entry and ramp as the BC Hydro substation

The school will be located directly adjacent to the underground substation and will use the waste heat extracted from the substation for heating, supporting enhanced sustainability objectives

Why Additional Planning is Needed

Since the original agreement in 2018, construction costs have continued to increase across all capital projects which has been linked to material prices, supply chain issues, labour availability and general escalation

Because of these pressures, additional funding is needed and the project has been added to VSB's Five Year Major Capital Plan submissions (June 2024 & June 2025) requesting funding from the Province to complete.

What is Happening Now

Since 2021, VSB and its architect team have been advancing the school design which has included a series of visioning sessions.

Between 2021 and 2025, meetings and engagement workshops were held with school communities and various stakeholders to confirm objectives, define goals and refine design concepts. Incorporating this feedback, the school design has continued to evolve in parallel with the design of the substation.

BC Hydro must first complete the substation work before VSB can start constructing a school above grade. Substation construction will  take several years. As such, construction of the above grade school building is not expected until 2030 or later.

In the absence of confirmed funding, VSB has developed plans to prepare the site for the future school – the Minimum Viable Project. This includes designing and building shared elements with BC Hydro such as the below grade structures that will enable the future school design. This strategy future proofs the site so the school can be integrated with the new substation once full funding is secured.

Preliminary rendering showing the general concept for the new school. Please note this is subject to change. 

Upcoming Key Project Milestones

For More Details

• About BC Hydro's work, visit their website
• Review what we've heard so far in our engagement summary report