St. George's School seeks $40 million expansion of high school campus

One of British Columbia’s most prestigious and expensive primary and secondary schools has submitted a rezoning application to embark on a $40 million makeover and expansion.

The Board of Directors of Vancouver Westside’s St. George’s School have approved a master plan that will significantly expand the size of its senior school campus while also pursuing a renewal of its 1912-built heritage building which houses the elementary school facilities.

“As a direct outgrowth of the School’s Strategic Plan and its commitment to establishing St. George’s as a world leader in the education of boys, the Board unanimously agreed that the first phase of the implementation of the Campus Master Plan will be the construction of two new academic buildings on the Senior School campus, along with the ongoing renewal of teaching and learning spaces in the Junior School,” said Headmaster Tom Matthews and Board Chair Lesley Bentley in a joint statement.

The project will be completed in multiple phases. The school hopes to receive rezoning approval by the end of this year and be in a position to develop further architectural plans and apply for a development permit sometime over the next two years. Fundraising for the expensive venture still needs to be undertaken.

The first phase will include a new three-storey boarding house, comprising of 120 dormitory units, and two three-storey academic buildings on the site of the senior campus.

The second phase involves a partial demolition of the senior school building to expand it with a new modern structure, to be followed by a third phase of additional three-storey boarding house buildings to accommodate another 120 dormitory units. Altogether, once all phases are complete, it will move boarding facilities from the elementary campus to the new facilities at the senior campus.

The plan also calls for 54 surface parking spaces and a underground parking garage for 111 vehicles.

In addition, the elementary school campus’ exterior and interior will be renewed and expanded for new spaces to accommodate athletics, music and the arts.

St. George’s Senior School today

Image: St. George’s Senior School

Image: St. George’s Senior School

St. George’s Senior School in the future

Image: St. George’s Senior School

Image: St. George’s Senior School

Image: St. George’s Senior School

Image: St. George’s Senior School

Image: St. George’s Senior School

Feature Image: St. George’s Senior School