Olympic Village School
Every Village Needs a School
Embedded Files
Summer 2025 - Redevelopment Application & Community Engagement
Summer 2025 - Redevelopment Application & Community Engagement
Rezoning Application
Rezoning Application
City of Vancouver - June 16, 2025
The City of Vancouver has received a rezoning application to amend CD-1 (454) for an increase in height from 13.5 m (44 ft.) to 18.8 m (62 ft.). The existing zoning allows for Institutional uses which includes School – Elementary or Secondary. The proposal is for the development of a four-storey elementary school building, which includes:
6,000 sq. m (64,583 sq. ft.) for instructional areas including classrooms, gymnasium, and community facilities to accommodate 630 students;
An activated rooftop space;
A floor space ratio (FSR) of 3.0; and
A building height of 18.8 m (62 ft.).
This application is being considered under the Southeast False Creek Official Development Plan
https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/215-w-1-ave?tool=qanda#tool_tab
New school at Olympic Village
New school at Olympic Village
VSB - July 17, 2025
In April 2024, the Ministry of Education and Child Care approved $150 million in funding to support the construction of a new school in Olympic Village.
Building a school in the Olympic Village area has been a top priority for the Vancouver School Board since 2006. Over the past decade, Olympic Village has seen significant population growth, including growth among families with school-aged children. This increase has led to enrolment pressures and underscored the urgent need for an accessible, seismically safe school within walking distance for the Olympic Village community.
Read the full story https://www.vsb.bc.ca/page/79671/new-school-at-olympic-village
Spring 2024 - Funding Announced
Spring 2024 - Funding Announced
B.C. announces long-awaited school in Olympic Village
B.C. announces long-awaited school in Olympic Village
Arrthy Thayaparan - CBC - April 5, 2024
The province announced a long-awaited elementary school is coming to Vancouver's Olympic Village neighbourhood nearly 17 years since a site was first chosen and four years after the B.C. NDP's promise of a fast-tracked process.
At a news conference Friday, Education Minister Rachna Singh announced funding of $150 million to build the Olympic Village school, which will welcome 630 students in 2029.
"With so many new people choosing B.C. as their home in recent years, we know that now is not the time to cut back on building schools where they are needed the most," Singh said.
Read the full story https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/olympic-village-elementary-school-1.7165482
New school coming to Olympic Village
New school coming to Olympic Village
Updated April 19, 2024
The much-anticipated new elementary school for the Olympic Village neighbourhood of Vancouver is taking a significant step forward with a finalized budget.
“Our government is focused on building new and expanded schools in communities that are growing and facing enrolment pressures,” said Rachna Singh, Minister of Education and Child Care. “As communities in B.C. continue to grow, we’ll continue to invest in services that families need.”
The new school will have capacity for 630 students through more than $150 million from the Province. The four-storey school will include a neighbourhood learning centre that will have space for child care and a rooftop play area. The school is expected to be complete by fall 2029.
Read the full story https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024ECC0026-000489
Update - No Update 2024
Update - No Update 2024
An Olympic Village school was earmarked in 2007. Funding was promised in 2020. The site remains untouched
An Olympic Village school was earmarked in 2007. Funding was promised in 2020. The site remains untouched
Karin Larsen - CBC - February 6, 2024
Families who took to heart a 2020 promise to fast track a new school in Vancouver's Olympic Village neighbourhood are wondering when — or even if — construction will ever begin.
The questions are front of mind for single mom Ashlie Corcoran, who lives and works in Olympic Village, with her son only two years away from entering kindergarten.
Read the full story https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/olympic-village-school-1.7101026
4 years later, where is the promised school in Vancouver’s Olympic Village?
4 years later, where is the promised school in Vancouver’s Olympic Village?
Darrian Matassa-Fung & Angela Jung - Global - February 7, 2024
For more than 15 years there’s been talk of building a school in Vancouver’s Olympic Village, yet the barren piece of land set aside for the elementary school remains undeveloped.
“I wish it had been built 15 years ago when it was supposed to have been built,” nearby resident Alex Oulton said.
Read the full story https://globalnews.ca/news/10278931/olympic-village-vancouver-no-school/
Kindergarten '23 New Premier Weighs In
Kindergarten '23 New Premier Weighs In
It's been 10 years of Vancouver's kindergarten crunch. Why haven't things improved?
It's been 10 years of Vancouver's kindergarten crunch. Why haven't things improved?
Justin Mcelroy - CBC - February 2, 2023
School board says it understands the frustration but still no timeline for Olympic Village school
Every February, the Vancouver School Board sends messages to every parent who applied for their child to enter kindergarten. And every February, hundreds are told their child is on a waiting list.
Read the full story https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/kindergarten-wait-list-vancouver-2023-decade-1.6734103
B.C. premier says plan is to fund Olympic Village elementary school but won't say when
B.C. premier says plan is to fund Olympic Village elementary school but won't say when
Katie DeRosa - Vancouver Sun - April 13, 2023
Parents in the area have for years complained about overcrowding in nearby schools, a problem that will only get worse when tens of thousands of people move to the area through the Broadway plan
Read the full story https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/bc-premier-says-plan-fund-olympic-village-elementary-school-but-wont-say-when
Vancouver Planning
Vancouver Planning
is Not Working
is Not Working
As Vancouver plans future, families plead: Don't forget schools
As Vancouver plans future, families plead: Don't forget schools
Dan Fumano - Vancouver Sun - May 25, 2022
Opinion: Vancouver is considering where and how to add 50,000 residents to the Broadway corridor. Where will the kids go to school?
Lisa McAllister with her son Niko and daughter Daria in the Vancouver field designated for a school that was never built.
Read the full story https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/dan-fumano-as-city-plans-future-families-plead-dont-forget-schools
Mismatch between school space, families with children no minor inconvenience
Mismatch between school space, families with children no minor inconvenience
Frances Bula and Xiao Xu - Globe & Mail - July 23, 2022
When Suzanne Ma and her husband bought their condo in Vancouver's Olympic Village almost a decade ago, they were told there was a parcel of...
Read the full story https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-lower-mainland-vancouver-school-locations/
Kindergarten Lottery 2022
Kindergarten Lottery 2022
QEA-OV Saga Continues
QEA-OV Saga Continues
Nearly every elementary school in Vancouver's core has a waitlist for kindergarten, and parents are frustrated
Nearly every elementary school in Vancouver's core has a waitlist for kindergarten, and parents are frustrated
Justin Mcelroy - CBC NEWS - March 4, 2022
For parents living in downtown Vancouver with a child about to enter kindergarten, the month of February is inevitably stressful.
"We were waiting anxiously," said Jennifer Groenewold, who purchased a home in the Crosstown neighbourhood across the street from Crosstown Elementary School, in the hope that her daughter could have an easy walk to school.
Read the full story here.
“Parents Believe That This Is Part Of A Quid Pro Quo:” The Story Of The Queen Elizabeth Annex Closure Consideration
“Parents Believe That This Is Part Of A Quid Pro Quo:” The Story Of The Queen Elizabeth Annex Closure Consideration
Editorial Board - The Griffin's Nest - June 5, 2022
... at the end of the initial staff presentation, Board Chair Janet Fraser read a statement at the request of then Minister of Education Rob Fleming regarding the closure of QEA.
"I was contacted by the Minister of Education today, and he would like to share the following information,” said Fraser.
“‘If the VSB is able to consult, gain support, and transfer Queen Elizabeth Annex to become a new public francophone school for French-speaking rights holders in the City of Vancouver, he will have an opportunity to bring forward to government a new school at Olympic Village utilizing contributions from the VSB the Ministry and the City of Vancouver.'”
The motion before the trustees was whether or not to proceed to public consultation regarding a potential closure. Trustee Wong made a lengthy statement regarding the information he sought to make a decision, and questioned whether the Minister's suggestion amounted to a "quid pro quo with respect to QEA and Olympic Village or the [University of British Columbia] site."
Read the full story here.
Kindergarten Lottery 2021 & City moves forward
Kindergarten Lottery 2021 & City moves forward
Vancouver families disappointed after annual school lottery
Vancouver families disappointed after annual school lottery
Renee Bernard - NEWS1130 - February 22, 2021
The Vancouver School Board has conducted its annual kindergarten admission lottery for over-subscribed schools and once again the families of students not chosen are very upset.
“I felt completely gutted,” says Jennifer Laing, whose daughter applied to attend kindergarten at False Creek elementary this fall. She was notified 78 people submitted applications for 40 spots, 11 of which were taken up by the younger siblings of students already enrolled in the school.
Read the full story here
All but one elementary school in Vancouver's core has wait-list for kindergarten
All but one elementary school in Vancouver's core has wait-list for kindergarten
Justin McElroy - CBC - February 24, 2021
If you live in the middle of Vancouver and your first child is entering kindergarten, it's the sort of situation talked about in hushed, knowing tones.
"I heard about it through parents talking, but you don't really know what it's all about until you go through it yourself," said Debbie Lee, who lives in the city's Fairview neighbourhood.
Read the full story here
New milestone reached on future Olympic Village elementary school
New milestone reached on future Olympic Village elementary school
Kenneth Chan - Daily Hive - February 24, 2021
There is some new movement on the plan to provide the Olympic Village in the Southeast False Creek neighbourhood with a new additional elementary school.
Vancouver City Council and the Vancouver School Board (VSB) announced today they have approved entering into a 99-year lease for the school site.
Read the full story here
Olympic Village elementary school plan inches forward but funding still up in the air
Olympic Village elementary school plan inches forward but funding still up in the air
Karin Larsen - CBC - February 24, 2021
The good news is a long anticipated elementary school promised for Vancouver's Olympic Village neighbourhood seems one step closer to reality with the announcement a lease is about to be signed to secure land for the project.
The bad news is funding for the school is not yet secured, meaning there's still no guarantee it will ever be built.
Read the full story here
BC Election 2020: NDP Campaign Promise - A Step Forward?
BC Election 2020: NDP Campaign Promise - A Step Forward?
On Saturday, October 10th a small group gathered in Olympic Village to hear NDP Candidates Brenda Bailey and George Heyman make a commitment to fund a school in Olympic Village if the BCNDP are elected in the October 24th election.
Many mixed feelings here: will it actually happen, are they buying votes in False Creek, this won't solve the huge enrollment issues surrounding DT/False Creek, recognition of the many, many families who have pushed for this over the years and the even more families who have moved away without hope thereby devastating our thriving community.
Then there is the VSB and City involvement that have the potential to scuttle any Provincial promise. Our fingers are crossed but we are not holding our breath.
2020-21 Ministry Capital Response Letter: No School Funding
2020-21 Ministry Capital Response Letter: No School Funding
The VSB recently shared the March 5th Capital Response Letter from the Ministry of Education. Any inkling of hope that a school in Olympic Village would be funded was dashed as the Ministry neglected to fund any major capital projects in Vancouver. This is disappointing but not necessarily unexpected. It was the last hope that the Kindergarten class of 2023 would have an opportunity to access a school in their community.
The next step for the VSB is to write a letter to the Minister asking why the VSB requests, including the top priority Olympic Village School, were not approved. Should we warn them that our community wrote many a letter and received little a response? Despite the hundreds of families displaced from their school in recent years, no concrete action has been taken by any level of government (School Board, City, Province).
This leaves many families with little choice but to relocate or exit the public system resulting in a failure for our community and the public school system. Perhaps more disappointing is the VSB's apparent lack of Plan B, it seems like more of a go BIG or go home approach. The recommendation is to please stay home.
2020 VSB Kindergarten Enrollment Lottery
2020 VSB Kindergarten Enrollment Lottery
Feb 24, 2020 VSB Board Meeting
Feb 24, 2020 VSB Board Meeting
Frustrated parents sat through a 2 hour meeting to finally have their questions "answered".
If you only have a minute, flip to the final part of the video.
There are no answers.
If you aren't mad enough, read the rosy March 2nd, 2020 VSB Media Release here.
2020 Kindergarten Enrollment Pressures in Vancouver
2020 Kindergarten Enrollment Pressures in Vancouver
This map was put together with bits of information provided by the VSB. 8 of 12 schools are concentrated around downtown.
Red: Waitlist schools that cannot accommodate all 2020 in-catchment K
Green: Schools that MAY accept cross-boundary
Yellow: Other schools (includes not accepting cross-boundary & choice)
The map can be found here.
February 20th Enrollment at 8 Schools around City Centre
February 20th Enrollment at 8 Schools around City Centre
These are the original figures for Kindergarten students that were accepted/waitlisted for September 2020.
Data was compiled through waitlist letters & community information from the 8 central schools as VSB did not publish (for 2019 required FOI).
Rate of Acceptance for non-siblings considerably lower (i.e. Fraser 21%).
The data table and waitlist letters can be found here.
Check Out Spring 2020 Olympic Village School and Kindergarten Lottery Media coverage
Check Out Spring 2020 Olympic Village School and Kindergarten Lottery Media coverage
Still no school in Olympic Village
Still no school in Olympic Village
Lynda Steele - CKNW - March 6, 2020
We chat with Lisa McAllister, a parent concerned about the lack of schools in Olympic Village.
Listen to the full story here
VSB responds to inaction on school in Olympic Village
VSB responds to inaction on school in Olympic Village
Lynda Steele - CKNW - March 10, 2020
We spoke to Lisa McAllister last week about her concerns about the continued lack of a school in Olympic Village.
Today the VSB responds.
We have Janet Fraser who is Chair of the Vancouver School Board.
We also have Lisa McAllister on again, to respond to what Janet told us.
Listen to the full story here
The kindergarten waitlist issue for parents living in the core of Vancouver isn't as bad as you think it is.
The kindergarten waitlist issue for parents living in the core of Vancouver isn't as bad as you think it is.
It's worse.
It's worse.
- Justin McElroy, CBC Vancouver
- Justin McElroy, CBC Vancouver
Tracy Sherlock - Vancouver Courier - March 2, 2020
OPINION: Too much talk, not enough action as Vancouver schools fill to capacity
Adrianne Tanner - Globe & Mail - February 28, 2020
Both BC and Vancouver's school board get a failing grade in education planning
Editorial - Globe & Mail - February 28, 2020
Why are Canadian cities building neighbourhoods without schools?
Patti Bacchus - Georgia Straight - February 27, 2020
The solutions to VSB's kindergarten space crunch
Alex Bozikovic - Globe & Mail - February 26, 2020
Downtown crowding and empty chairs: Fixing imbalance will take radical change
Justin McElroy - CBC Vancouver - February 26, 2020
Nearly every school in Vancouver's core has a waitlist for kindergarten
Michael Geller - Vancouver Courier - February 24, 2020
Why does Vancouver continue to build family oriented communities without enough schools?
CBC Vancouver - February 20, 2020
Parents frustrated as kindergarten lottery leaves closest school out of range
School Catchment frustrations in Vancouver
School Catchment frustrations in Vancouver
Tom Walsh - CityNews 1130 - February 20, 2020
Meanwhile, parents held a rally at the Creekside Community Centre against the lottery system tonight.
Watch the segment here.
Parents of Kindergarten-aged kids continue to wait word on placements
BC gov't pushes back at VSB as parents struggle with lottery system
Vancouver school lottery, waitlists put before, after school care in limbo
Vancouver parents growing frustrated that they can't send their children to schools near home
Vancouver parents growing frustrated that they can't send their children to schools near home
Stephen Quinn - CBC The Early Edition - February 21, 2020
Mothers Laura Moore and Lisa McAllister speak with Stephen Quinn about the growing disappointment having to spend hours a day getting their kids to school.
Listen to the segment here.
Stephen Quinn - CBC The Early Edition - March 3, 2020
Vancouver School Board chair Janet Fraser speaks with Stephen Quinn in response to criticism by parents that not enough space is available ion growing neighbourhoods. Stephen also speaks with parents impacted by the lack of space. The Minister declined the invitation to join.
Listen to the segment here.
10 years later, residents still waiting for a school in Olympic Village
10 years later, residents still waiting for a school in Olympic Village
Emad Agahi - CTV News - February 16, 2020
VANCOUVER -- Parents living in Vancouver's Olympic Village neighbourhood are frustrated with the lack of options when it comes to sending their kids to school. “Anybody that says kids don't live in condos -- that is just an outdated belief," said Lisa McAllister, who lives in Olympic Village with her family of four. Her daughter starts kindergarten in the fall and as of now, she has no school to go to.
Watch/Read the full story here
Check Out Fall 2019 Olympic Village School Media Coverage
Check Out Fall 2019 Olympic Village School Media Coverage
Political gamesmanship is holding up the Olympic Village School
Patti Bacchus
Georgia Straight
October 3, 2019
Frustrated Olympic Village parents ask where’s the school they were promised
Tracy Sherlock
Vancouver Courier
October 25, 2019
Kindergarten shortage in Vancouver's Olympic Village is a 'crisis,' parents say
Eva Uguen-Csenge
CBC News
November 1, 2019
Parents, B.C. government baffled after Vancouver School Board rejects plan for new French school
Frances Bula
Globe and Mail
December 4, 2019
School Lottery Playgym - Rally
School Lottery Playgym - Rally
Thursday, February 20th 4-5:30pm
Thursday, February 20th 4-5:30pm
@ Creekside Gymnasium
@ Creekside Gymnasium
Come and join the discussion while the kids play - the status quo is not acceptable and the lack of action by the VSB, Ministry of Education and City of Vancouver is disappointing.
Our community and others need to work together to pressure for ACTION!
Everyone is welcome to come and join us on Thursday, February 20th 4pm-5:30pm in the Creekside Gymnasium, 1 Athletes Way in Olympic Village.
Hope to see you there!
And best of luck to you all on your Kindergarten Lottery results.
Visit our Twitter for the most recent updates!
Vancouver School Board - Community October Townhall
Vancouver School Board - Community October Townhall
Visit our Twitter for the most recent updates!
On October 22nd, 50+ community members joined VSB Secretary-Treasurer David Green and VSB Deputy Superintendent David Nelson at Creekside Community Centre to have a conversion around the school situation.
2019 VSB Long Range Facilities Info Session
VSB Long Range Facilities Fact Sheet
Information about our Community & School Crisis
Information about our Community & School Crisis
Schools attended by Olympic Village students
Schools attended by Olympic Village students
From the feedback in our petition, the above schools are attended by students living in Olympic Village. Pending updates.
Current capacity utilization at elem. schools
Current capacity utilization at elem. schools
Simon Fraser Elementary is currently operating at 159% capacity utilization (up from 140% in 2016). Be careful using this map to make other assumptions.
Neighbouring Schools to Proposed Site
Neighbouring Schools to Proposed Site
Look at the ring of schools around the proposed Olympic Village School site and walking distance.
Why aren't kids walking to school?
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-why-did-our-children-stop-walking-to-school/
Welcome Neighbours:
Welcome Neighbours:
Developments in Simon Fraser Catchment
Developments in Simon Fraser Catchment
Check out all the new neighbours we'll soon have - including an 145 Unit Affordable Housing Project targeting 50% Family Tennancy.
Where will these kids be sent to school?
Thank you for your support!
Thank you for your support!
On a dark and dreary September evening, it was great to see the community come out and meet our MLAs, School Trustees and City Councillors as we work together to solve our school "crisis".
Also a BIG THANKS to our community supporters:
Creekside Community Centre
Terra Breads
Gusto
Urban Fare
Craft
JJ Bean
Next time we'll make sure to ask Legacy to support as well :-)
Check out the community suggestions for how we could solve this problem.
The Premier, The Mayor and The School Board Chair Visit Olympic Village School
The Premier, The Mayor and The School Board Chair Visit Olympic Village School
On July 4th, the Olympic Village cardboard school patiently awaited the dignitaries and media in front of the community centre. Thank you to Premier John Horgan for taking the time to chat and listen to our concerns. It is comforting to know that if our school is a priority for the VSB that the Province will fund it and that there was an opportunity for him to discuss this with Education Minister Rob Fleming later in the day. We understand that feedback from the community is key and that is why we are ready for you to send your letters.
CKNW "An adorable protest"
CKNW "An adorable protest"
On Thursday July 18th at Hinge Park there is an adorable protest - residents of Olympic Village are having a picnic and building a school out of cardboard boxes - why? The residents in the area want a school, their catchment school is Simon Fraser Elementary which isn’t close and also is a lottery - many kids - in fact most kids - don’t get in.
On the July 16th Lynda Steele Show, Jody Vance chatted with Southeast False Creek community member and advocate for a new elementary school in Olympic Village, Joseph Tesoro. Listen to the interview here.
Letter to City of Vancouver Mayor and Council
Letter to City of Vancouver Mayor and Council
The City of Vancouver's 2007 development plan for Olympic Village anticipated a population of up to 16,000 residents by 2020. This plan included the building of three to five licensed childcare facilities, two out-of-school care facilities, and an elementary school by 2020. As of yet, the promised elementary school project remains unfunded.
There are 65 children who were not accepted into Kindergarten this fall at their catchment school, Simon Fraser Elementary. They need a school now.
On June 21st, we sent a letter to the City of Vancouver's mayor and city council to ask for their support in advocating for the construction of a school at Olympic Village.
Meeting with Janet Fraser, VSB Chairperson
Meeting with Janet Fraser, VSB Chairperson
Simon Fraser Elementary Trustee Liaison
Simon Fraser Elementary Trustee Liaison
On May 22nd, three Olympic Village parents met with Janet Fraser to discuss the school situation and clarify some of the information we received during the petition process.
Confirmed that Hinge Park on Columbia Street between Walter Hardwick and Athletes Way is the proposed school site
A seismic assessment of a site closer to the Cambie Street bridge was completed with the Francophone School District but did not move forward
Temporary building solutions are not currently under consideration
School catchment changes are initiated by VSB staff and may be up for discussion effective 2020/21
Janet Fraser is liaising with the VSB Superintendent regarding the possibility of creating Olympic Village cohorts and transporting them to a school with available capacity as was done with Crosstown Elementary prior to opening
+ allows community children to attend school together
+ builds stronger parent network in support of our ultimate goal
- children will likely be located at a distant school
Thank you Janet for taking the time to meet with us!
Vancouver School Board
Vancouver School Board
Facilities Planning Committee Meeting
Facilities Planning Committee Meeting
May 15th 5pm - 1580 West Broadway
The presentation focused on:
The current school situation at Simon Fraser Elementary
105 in-catchment Kindergarten applicants
40 spaces available
27 went to siblings with priority
13 remaining placements for 78 students (17%)
Petition has more than 550 responses showing strong community support
What options are there now? Temporary Modular School?
Check out the video here. Olympic Village presents from 25:00 - 42:30.
Our kick-off rally in Hinge Park. On May 11th, we built the school of our dreams!
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