The Government of Yukon has selected the unsurveyed lot across from the Canada Games Centre, also referred to as the Valleyview site, as the location for the new École Whitehorse Elementary School.
The Valleyview site received the highest overall score following a detailed assessment that looked at the project cost, community input, schedule, transportation, neighbourhood concerns and the needs of students and staff.
Public input was one part of the overall assessment. Online survey results were considered alongside feedback from students, staff and the École Whitehorse Elementary School Council, as well as technical, financial and planning information.
The Valleyview site will require an Official Community Plan amendment and rezoning approval from the City of Whitehorse. The Government of Yukon will work with the City, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Ta'an Kwäch'än Council and the Valleyview Community Association as planning advances.
The Kopper King site, which scored second in the site assessment, will also be advanced through rezoning as a backup in case the required municipal approvals for the Valleyview site are not granted.
This is an important step toward replacing École Whitehorse Elementary School. The Valleyview site received the highest overall score and was strongly supported by learners, staff and the school council. Thank you to everyone who shared their views and helped identify the priorities, benefits and trade-offs considered in this decision. Selecting a site allows us to move from assessment and planning toward building a modern school that will serve students and families for generations. We will continue working with the City of Whitehorse, Yukon First Nations and nearby residents as planning advances.
This is an exciting step forward for learners, families and staff at École Whitehorse Elementary School. The current school has served generations of Yukoners, and after more than seven decades, it's time for a modern replacement that reflects the needs of today's learners. A new school in a central, accessible location will create an inspiring place for students to learn and grow, while making it easier for families from across Whitehorse to access French-language education. We are pleased to move this project forward with the support of the school community and residents.
Our staff, students and school community are excited that École Whitehorse Elementary School will be moving to its new home in Valleyview. Our students were proud to take part in the engagement and see that their voices can help shape decisions affecting their community. With nearby trails, recreation facilities and outdoor learning opportunities, this location will offer many benefits for our students. We look forward to this new chapter for our school community.
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The Valleyview site received the highest overall score in the technical site assessment, at 179 out of 270, compared with 155 for Kopper King and 133 for the downtown site.
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The project schedule will be updated as municipal approvals, site investigations, design and funding decisions are completed.
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École Whitehorse Elementary School is the oldest operating school in the Yukon and has been identified as the highest-priority urban school for replacement.
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The new school is being planned to accommodate up to 600 students and approximately 55 staff.
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Students and staff will remain at the current École Whitehorse Elementary School while the new school is built.
Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
[email protected]
Michael Edwards
Communications, Education
[email protected]
Brittany Cross
Communications, Highways and Public Works
[email protected]