Vernon Christian School Breaks Ground on Campus Expansion
VERNON, BC – Vernon Christian School (VCS) has officially broken ground on its long-awaited campus expansion project. This exciting development will bring a dedicated high school gymnasium, additional classrooms, and improved parking and traffic access off Pleasant Valley Road.
After years of planning and fundraising, the school community is thrilled to begin. The prime contractor for the project is SilverRock Land Corp., with architecture led by MQN.
A Milestone Made Possible by Community
“Reaching this milestone would not have happened without the generosity of the school community and the important partnerships that have been established. We are so thankful for the generous giving that we have received. We are grateful for the dedicated, hard work of SilverRock, MQN, and all of the consultants involved. We are also thankful for the support that we have received from the leadership at the RDNO,”
— Steve Gutknecht, Director of Development
To mark the groundbreaking, VCS hosted a celebration event attended by staff, students, families, and even founding Society members who worked tirelessly to open the school in the 1970s.
“It is so encouraging to see the school take this next step in growing its mission. What started with faith and lots of hard work to bring a Christian school option to Vernon has flourished over the decades into a school with almost 500 kids,”
— Jake Spoor, founding member (1977)
Faithful Provision and Future Growth
“I’m so excited and full of gratitude – for God’s faithful provision and guidance in this school community through the decades, and I’m also awed by the dedication of donors & volunteers who have made it possible to add critical new space for PE and athletics, as well as for classroom learning and community-building.”
— Matt Driediger, VCS Principal
Construction is expected to be completed by December 2026.
Why the Expansion Matters
This project addresses some of the school’s greatest needs:
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Dedicated high school gymnasium – giving secondary students a long-awaited space for athletics, PE, and community events.
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Elementary gym for K–6 – ensuring age-appropriate spaces for younger students.
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Additional classrooms – providing capacity for current and future growth.
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Traffic and parking solutions – improving safety and reducing congestion during school pick-up and drop-off.
These new spaces are designed with the future in mind. Engineering has accounted for the possibility of further expansions in the years to come.
“Our grandparents founded the school back in the 70s. Our parents expanded it. Now it’s up to us to look forward and give our children and grandchildren a place to learn and flourish for years to come.”
— Gregg Douma, VCS Board Chair & Alumni Member
Community Benefits
The expansion will not only serve students but also the North Okanagan community:
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The new high school gym will provide a much-needed venue for community groups and events. Currently, VCS can only accommodate about 10% of facility rental requests.
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Improved traffic flow will benefit both school families and the wider Pleasant Valley Road corridor, easing congestion and supporting neighbouring properties.
How You Can Help
The project is scheduled for completion in December 2026, but approximately $1 million in additional fundraising is still needed.
If you are interested in supporting this project or becoming a Corporate Sponsor, please contact development@vcs.ca or visit www.makeway.vcs.ca.