VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Vancouver School Board has unveiled the name for its newest elementary school in the bustling Coal Harbour neighbourhood, marking a significant step in addressing the city's growing demand for educational spaces amid rapid urban development.
Officials announced on Wednesday that the three-storey facility, situated at the foot of Broughton Street with sweeping views of the marina, will be called Seaside Elementary. The school is set to welcome students next summer, following delays that pushed back its original fall opening. According to the board, supply-chain disruptions, labour shortages, and challenging site conditions contributed to the postponement.
The naming ceremony included a meaningful nod to the region's Indigenous heritage. Representatives from the Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations bestowed the name cəw̓as upon the school, which translates to “facing out onto the water, facing away from the shore.” This reflects the school's prime waterfront location. Additionally, the Squamish Nation gifted the name Ch’elxwá7elch Skwuláw̓txw, meaning “Lost Lagoon school,” in reference to its proximity to the iconic lagoon adjacent to Stanley Park.
Seaside Elementary is designed to accommodate up to 317 students, with dedicated spaces for early childhood education and family support. The building will include 69 spots for before- and after-school care, 65 child-care positions for children up to age five, and 60 units of affordable rental housing. These features underscore the school's role not just in education but in supporting working families in one of Vancouver's most expensive districts.
The project's roots trace back to a 2018 agreement between the Vancouver School Board and B.C. Hydro. Under the deal, B.C. Hydro will construct an underground electrical substation at the site of the existing Lord Roberts Annex. In exchange, the utility company is providing funding for both the Coal Harbour school and a replacement facility at the Lord Roberts Annex once the substation work is finished. This partnership highlights the innovative ways public entities are collaborating to balance infrastructure needs with community growth.
Upon opening, Seaside Elementary is projected to operate near full capacity, enrolling about 305 students. Many of these children are currently attending the overcrowded Lord Roberts Elementary and its annex. School board officials noted that the new school will help alleviate pressure on these existing institutions, which have been strained by Vancouver's population boom.
In tandem with the naming announcement, the board approved adjustments to school catchment boundaries to optimize enrollment across the downtown core. The changes primarily impact families in the northwestern portion of Elsie Roy Elementary's catchment area in nearby Yaletown. Students in this zone will now be assigned to Lord Roberts Elementary, potentially extending their daily walks to school.
Despite the reconfiguration, overcapacity remains a persistent challenge in the area. Elsie Roy Elementary is currently operating at 114 percent of its capacity, while šxʷwəq̓ʷəθət Crosstown Elementary is at 121 percent and Lord Roberts at 108 percent. Board trustee Suzie Mah addressed the situation during Wednesday's meeting, emphasizing the broader trends driving these issues.
“Vancouver’s growing and we are increasing in density,” Mah said. “Down the road, we need the land, we need to keep our land, and there may be new schools that are needed.” Her comments reflect ongoing discussions about how the city can sustain educational infrastructure as high-rise developments continue to reshape neighbourhoods like Coal Harbour.
The Coal Harbour area, once dominated by industrial uses, has transformed into a vibrant residential and commercial hub over the past two decades. This evolution has brought thousands of new residents, including many young families, to the waterfront. However, the influx has outpaced school construction, leading to portable classrooms and busing arrangements that have frustrated parents and educators alike.
Local education advocates have long called for more permanent solutions. In recent years, the Vancouver School Board has faced criticism for its handling of downtown overcrowding, with some parents reporting commutes of up to 30 minutes for elementary-aged children. The opening of Seaside Elementary represents a tangible response, though officials acknowledge it's just one piece of a larger puzzle.
The inclusion of Indigenous names for the school also ties into broader reconciliation efforts in British Columbia. Vancouver Public Schools has increasingly incorporated First Nations languages and perspectives into its curriculum and facilities. For instance, šxʷwəq̓ʷəθət Crosstown Elementary itself bears a Halkomelem name meaning “whirlpool” or “eddy,” honouring the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
Construction on Seaside Elementary began in earnest after the 2018 deal, but progress was hampered by the global pandemic and subsequent economic pressures. Supply-chain issues, particularly for specialized building materials, delayed key milestones. Labour shortages in the construction sector, exacerbated by an aging workforce and immigration challenges, further slowed the timeline. Site constraints, including the need to navigate underground utilities and preserve marina access, added layers of complexity.
Community input played a role in the naming process. The Vancouver School Board solicited suggestions from residents, staff, and Indigenous partners earlier this year. Seaside Elementary emerged as the top choice among English-language options, evoking the neighbourhood's maritime character. The dual Indigenous names were presented as ceremonial honours, to be used alongside the official title in cultural contexts.
Looking ahead, the board anticipates smooth integration of students from the affected catchments. Transportation plans are being reviewed to ensure safe routes for the reassigned Yaletown families. In the meantime, temporary measures at Lord Roberts and its annex will continue, with portables accommodating overflow until Seaside opens its doors.
As Vancouver grapples with its status as one of North America's densest urban centres, projects like Seaside Elementary illustrate the delicate balance between development and public services. With housing affordability and family retention key concerns for city planners, the school's affordable rental component could serve as a model for future builds. Trustee Mah's remarks suggest more such initiatives may be on the horizon, as the board eyes additional land acquisitions to keep pace with growth.
For now, the focus remains on completion. Contractors report steady progress, with interior fit-outs and playground installations underway. Parents in Coal Harbour expressed optimism in informal interviews following the announcement, viewing the school as a long-overdue asset for the community.