Image: Promontory Heights Elementary / Facebook / SD33 has approved the $9.5 million site acquisition of a second elementary school in Promontory as enrollment continues to grow in the area.

By Alyssa Conti

GROWING SCHOOL DISTRICT

SD33 approves $9.5M site for new elementary school in Promontory

Nov 21, 2025 | 11:42 AM

CHILLIWACK — SD33 is moving ahead with its plans for a second, much-needed elementary school as district enrollment continues to grow in Chilliwack.

At a Special Board Meeting on Thursday (Nov. 20), the district approved the acquisition of a $9.5 million property at 5303 Promontory Road for the purpose of building a 500-seat elementary school.

The district is set to fund roughly $3.25 million of the purchase out of its own pocket, with up to $6.5 million worth of borrowing from Scotiabank.

“I think there is some risk for this district to borrow money from the bank, but I think for our district, there’s more risk in losing this property,” said Willow Reichelt, SD33 School Trustee.

“Trustee Swankey and I have been on the board for seven years, and every single year, this is one of the things we’re looking for […] I honestly didn’t think we were ever going to find one.”

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Trustee Laurie Throness added that the province has acknowledged SD33’s need for a school in the “very crowded” Promontory area for the past decade, and hopes that the new school will be provincially funded upon site acquisition.

Superintendent Rohan Arul-Pragasam mentioned in a prior meeting that approximately 850 elementary students currently live on the hilltop, with many busing to Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt Elementary/Middle School to cope with the lack of spaces.