Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Tradesmen work on a residential construction site on Vedder Road in Chilliwack in this file photo. Based on consultations with the City of Chilliwack and FVRD, Chilliwack School District released a report this past week that shows over 7,000 more housing units could be built within Chilliwack over the next decade, bringing with it thousands more students that are currently beyond the district's capacity.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Population growth in Chilliwack

Chilliwack slated to grow by over 7,000 housing units the next 10 years, prompting SD33 to consider more land acquisition

Oct 8, 2024 | 9:06 AM

CHILLIWACK — Based on consultations with the City of Chilliwack and FVRD, Chilliwack School District released a report this past week that shows over 7,000 more housing units could be built within Chilliwack over the next decade, bringing with it thousands more students that are currently beyond the district’s capacity.

According to an “Eligible School Site Proposal” report dated October 8 from Secretary-Treasurer Simone Sangster, projections from the City of Chilliwack surrounding development approvals have been recently updated due to new provincial allowances for units per lot and increasing development of local First Nations land. The eligible development units are integrated into future enrolment projections by applying a factor reflecting the estimated number of students arising from new housing units. The projected growth in the number of school-aged children over the next 10 years in Chilliwack is then linked to the capacity of current and approved school facilities to spotlight the number of new school sites or school site expansions that will be required.

In June, the district’s capital plan submission originally estimated that enrolment would increase by 1,209 students over the next 10 years, which at that time was approximately 2,500 students beyond its current capacity, not including portables. Based on information from local governments, SD33 anticipates that these 7,368 development units will result in an estimated 2,292 school-age children. SD33 expects that almost none of these school-age children will be accommodated in existing facilities, prompting the district to consider expansion at Chilliwack Middle School and Vedder Middle School.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / As a result of projected development growth in Chilliwack over the next 10 years that could bring an estimated 2,292 school-age students, SD33 is considering expanding Vedder Middle School (pictured) and Chilliwack Middle School.

SD33 anticipates that two new school sites will be required due to this expected growth of 7,368 housing units, including one in the urban north and a second in the urban south area. Pursuant to B.C. Ministry of Education and Child Care standards, SD33 says the site, or sites, will require 7.7 hectares of land to be purchased within 10 years. With current land costs factored in, land will cost approximately $66.6 million.

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SD33 says more growth in Chilliwack’s urban core or urban north area of the district is expected than was originally included in its earlier numbers. Enrolment at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year indicates there is more growth in the northern part of SD33.

The Chilliwack Board of Education will consider Sangster’s report at its meeting Tuesday evening, Oct. 8.