Thinkspace is the prime consultant delivering the new Simcoe Elementary School for School District No. 40, New Westminster, British Columbia.  The project began with the Project Definition Report (PDR) in February 2023 and officially proceeded to Schematic Design in November 2024.  Construction is anticipated to start June 2026 and conclude by July 2028, so the new school can open for the 2028 / 2029 school year.

The PDR recommendation was to proceed with Option 2A construction of a new site-built three-storey, 605 capacity Elementary School with GHG reduction strategies (LEED Gold). Through the Schematic Design process, the overall design concept of the school was revised from a three-storey building to a four-storey to provide better outdoor space, access to views, and align with the City’s request to reduce the impact on the adjoining Simcoe Park. 

The four-storey option offers more opportunity to distribute the spaces required while being sympathetic to the surround area, the neighbourhood to the North and adjacent Simcoe Park to the South and West. The building also includes a single level of underground parking providing near the bylaw-required 59 parking stalls.

The site is part of the Simcoe Campus concept, using District-owned space along with support and cooperation from the City of New Westminster for use of Simcoe Park.   It is located on the South-West corner of Queens and Eighth street in New Westminster.  The undersized District site currently contains the District Board Office and Fraser River Middle School. 

With the addition of a new elementary school the site’s capacity would double. Fortunately play space is provided by the adjacent Simcoe Park and the District will co-ordinate recesses and pick up/drop off between the elementary and middle school to provide safe outdoor play.