Great news at the end of the year at Vernon Christian School (VCS).
The private school has reached its Break Ground Goal for its planned expansion.
The $2 million target of the Make Way Campus Expansion project was surpassed May 23.
"The school is officially ready to start construction on its high school gymnasium, classroom, and parking project once permits are received from the RDNO (Regional District of North Okanagan)," said Steve Gutknecht, VCS' director of development. "We hope the permits will be granted soon so that construction can start this summer while the students are away."
The project addresses key areas where the school is currently experiencing the most constraints.
The high school will finally have a dedicated gymnasium. The current elementary gym will serve the school’s K-6 students, and all students will have many added opportunities for physical health and fitness.
The Vernon Christian School Royals have sent a number of volleyball and basketball teams to Okanagan and provincial championships playing in a shoebox-sized gym without bleachers for an audience.
The school has developed strong partnerships with local & provincial sports clubs (Sky Volleyball, Volleyball BC, Rise Basketball, Basketball BC, etc) for the use of its lone elementary gym. Once the high school gym is completed, the school is ready to welcome more user groups and to host major tournaments of its own.
Additional classroom spaces will allow the school to welcome new families to the school community.
A traffic congestion solution is a much-needed addition, which is magnified during school pick-up and drop-off times.
Enrolment at VCS is close to full capacity. The school is now home to 470 Kindergarten-Grade 12 students.
The current year, said Gutknecht, has been incredibly inspiring, "with many generous gifts given toward the project."
"Close to $1 million has been given in 2025 alone," he said. "Much of this giving can be attributed to the school's Matching Challenge, where a generous donor matched all gifts up to $400,000. The VCS community rallied around this, and the target was hit in May."
The overall campaign goal is to raise $3 million.
Once ground is broken, construction is expected to take between a year and 14 months. Work can safely happen while school is in session.
