The money is in the bank for the new middle school in Yorkson.

A project agreement has been signed paving the way for a new $22.7million middle school

in the area that's being rapidly developed with higher density projects.

The school, slated to start taking students in September 2014, is for Grades 6-8 and will include a Neighbourhood Learning Centre (NLC) that will deliver a range of community services to residents.

"We are pleased to be working with government to get these new school projects underway as quickly as possible," said school board chair Wendy Johnson. "As well, the Neighbourhood Learning Centres will help create communities in these new suburban areas where so many families have chosen to live."

The project is predicted to create 150 jobs during construc-

tion and will include a much greener footprint than other local public schools.

The school will be built to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standard to minimize environmental impact while increasing energy efficiency.

This is the third new school for the Willoughby slope announced in recent years to accommodate the rising population. Langley is one of the few districts in the province where K-7 student enrolment is growing.

With the three schools there should be sufficient student spaces for Willoughby slope families but the growth is not over.

The district has 10,930 elementary students of its entire student population of 18,606. Based on school district forecasts, the need for new student spaces will continue in that area for the next 1520 years.

"We're projecting that predicted growth to require at least 10 schools to service that area," said district communications manager Sandy Wakeling.

Building will start shortly on the new $12.6-million elementary in the South East Yorkson area and the new $12.8 million Lynn Fripps Elementary is scheduled to welcome students next month.

hcolpitts@langleyadvance.com