Buying a school site in Richmond city centre could cost $75 million.
The Richmond School District has been consulting with both the city and Vanprop, owner of Lansdowne Shopping Centre, which is slated for redevelopment over the next 20 years, on the cost of buying a site that is 4.7 acres in size.
Enrolment projections show that the school district will need an elementary school in city centre with about 340 spaces by 2034.
In addition to other high-density development in the city centre, Lansdowne Shopping Centre is expected to have about 8,000 residents when it’s fully built out.
If the board of education approves the school site proposal, it will be included in next year’s five-year capital plan, which is submitted to the province every year.
The school district has five planned school expansion projects including in Richmond city centre and Hamilton. The latter is expected to need more space by 2031.
A new school is also planned for Dover Park.
The Richmond Board of Education will deal with school site acquisition item at its meeting Wednesday.
