Vancouver’s New Seaside Elementary School Set to Open in 2026

The Vancouver School Board has officially named its newest public educational facility as Seaside Elementary School, set to open in September 2026. This school, located in the downtown Vancouver peninsula, will occupy a mixed-use building at 480 Broughton St., adjacent to the popular Coal Harbour seawall. The project, previously referred to as Coal Harbour Elementary School, is currently in its final stages of construction, which began in Spring 2022.

The new school will feature an 11-storey building that includes 43,000 square feet dedicated to educational purposes, accommodating up to 317 students. Facilities will encompass a gymnasium and a library, along with access to an upgraded playground and a grassy field situated on the rooftop of the nearby community centre. The building also incorporates a childcare facility on the fourth level, designed to host 64 children and featuring an outdoor play area.

In addition to the school and childcare spaces, the upper levels of the building will include 60 social housing units. These housing units are part of a collaborative effort between the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver School Board, aimed at addressing the growing demand for both educational and affordable housing in the area.

Revised School Catchment Areas for Downtown Vancouver

To prepare for the opening of Seaside Elementary, the Vancouver School Board has restructured the catchment boundaries for elementary schools in downtown Vancouver. Previously, both Lord Roberts Elementary School and its annex covered the West End and Coal Harbour areas. The new boundaries will create a distinct catchment for Seaside Elementary, dividing the previous areas and allowing for better resource allocation and access for families.

According to Jessie Gresley-Jones, Executive Director of Facilities for the Vancouver School Board, this update is essential in balancing school capacities and ensuring that students can attend a local school. The changes will take effect in September 2026, coinciding with the school’s opening. Gresley-Jones emphasized the ongoing enrolment pressures in downtown Vancouver, highlighting the need for long-term planning in educational resources.

As Seaside Elementary opens, there will be a transitional phase for students from Lord Roberts Annex, which will close for demolition to facilitate the construction of a new underground substation for BC Hydro at Nelson Park. Students from the annex will be temporarily relocated to Seaside Elementary until the new infrastructure is completed.

Addressing Educational Capacity in Growing Communities

The establishment of Seaside Elementary marks the first new public school in downtown Vancouver since the opening of Crosstown Elementary School in 2017. With ongoing residential developments in the downtown and False Creek areas, there is an urgent need for expanded school capacity. Current enrolment figures indicate that schools such as Elsie Roy, Crosstown, and Lord Roberts are operating at full capacity or exceeding it.

Future plans include another elementary school in the Olympic Village, with a capacity for up to 630 students and a childcare facility for 60 children. This project, backed by a $150 million budget from the provincial government, is scheduled to commence construction in 2027 and aims for completion in 2029.

As part of a broader strategy, the Vancouver School Board and the City are also working on plans for a mixed-use complex that will include a new King George Secondary School, a community centre, a library, and a fire hall. This reflects the city’s commitment to addressing both educational and community needs amid rapid urban growth.

In addition, the BC Hydro substation project at Nelson Park is crucial for enhancing the electrical capacity necessary to support future developments, replacing the aging Dal Grauer substation. BC Hydro has committed at least $73 million towards the construction of new schools in the area, demonstrating a collaborative approach to meet the needs of the growing population.

Through these initiatives, Vancouver aims to ensure that families in the downtown area have access to quality education and essential services, fostering a vibrant community for years to come.