News & Media

New school and major expansion coming to Ladysmith

Ladysmith, BC — The Town is pleased to share that the Province has announced funding for a new school and a significant expansion to support students and families in Ladysmith.

Ladysmith Intermediate School will be replaced with a fully accessible, prefabricated K–7 elementary school on the former École Davis Road site. The new school, which will be a French Immersion Dual-Track School, will have 390 seats—an addition of 90 seats from the existing school—two kindergarten classrooms, 14 elementary classrooms, a multipurpose room, a media and technology centre, a gymnasium, and new outdoor recreation areas, including play fields and a new playground. It will also include a new neighbourhood learning centre for before- and after-school care and will be built to LEED Gold standards.

Construction is expected to begin in 2027, and once completed, will be the first fully prefabricated seismic replacement school in British Columbia.

In addition, Ladysmith Primary School will be expanded with a two-storey addition featuring 10 new classrooms and 250 additional student spaces. The expansion will include special-education spaces and an elevator to ensure full accessibility. Construction is anticipated to start in fall 2026.

The Province is providing up to $52 million in funding for these projects, demonstrating a strong commitment to creating safe, modern, and sustainable learning spaces for Ladysmith students.

“The opening of the new French Immersion Dual-Track School at the former École Davis Road site is a milestone for our community, made possible through years of dedicated advocacy by community members, current and former Ladysmith Town councillors, and Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District staff,” says Mayor Deena Beeston. “In a time of fiscal restraint, we are especially grateful to the Provincial Government for supporting the replacement of our seismically challenged, non-accessible school with modern infrastructure that will serve our community for generations to come.”

For more information about the project, please visit the Province's website or view the official press release.

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Media Contact
Nicholas Pescod
Communications & Engagement Specialist
npescod@ladysmith.ca
250-268-0606

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Ladysmith-Oceanside MLA Stephanie Higginson speaks at Ladysmith Intermediate School on April 8, 2026. (Town of Ladysmith)



Mayor Deena Beeston speaks at the Province's school announcement at Ladysmith Intermediate School on April 8, 2026. (Town of Ladysmith)



Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure and North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA, speaks at Ladysmith Intermediate School on April 8, 2026. (Town of Ladysmith)