Vernon Christian School Launches Major Expansion Project

Vernon Christian School (VCS) has officially broken ground on a significant campus expansion project, aimed at enhancing educational facilities and resources for its growing student body. The initiative, dubbed “Make Way!” will introduce a new high school gymnasium, additional classrooms, and improved parking and traffic access from Pleasant Valley Road. This development follows years of extensive planning and fundraising, and the school community is eager to see the project come to fruition.

Steve Gutknecht, director of development at VCS, expressed gratitude for the support received, stating, “Reaching this milestone would not have happened without the generosity of the school community and the important partnerships that have been established.” He acknowledged the hard work of construction firms like SilverRock and MQN, as well as the backing from local leadership at the Regional District of North Okanagan.

To mark the groundbreaking, VCS hosted a celebratory event that included founding society members who played pivotal roles in the school’s establishment in the 1970s. Among them was Jake Spoor, a key figure in VCS’s inception in 1977. He remarked, “It is so encouraging to see the school take this next step in growing its mission,” highlighting how the institution has evolved from its humble beginnings to serving nearly 500 students today.

Matt Driediger, the current principal of VCS, shared his excitement about the expansion, emphasizing the importance of new spaces for physical education and classroom learning. “I’m so excited and full of gratitude – for God’s faithful provision and guidance in this school community through the decades,” he stated. The expansion aims to alleviate current constraints, particularly by providing a dedicated gymnasium for the high school, while also accommodating younger students in the existing elementary gym.

The expansion project is not only crucial for VCS but also for the broader North Okanagan community. The school has a long-standing tradition of being a hub for community gatherings through facility use agreements and event rentals. The new gymnasium will offer much-needed access to large physical activity spaces, addressing a community shortage. Currently, VCS can accommodate only about 10 percent of all rental requests.

With traffic along Pleasant Valley Road becoming increasingly congested due to the school’s growth and the surrounding area’s development, the new traffic solutions will significantly improve local conditions, especially during school drop-off and pick-up times.

The total cost of the expansion is projected to be around $1 million, with fundraising efforts ongoing to meet this goal. School officials are urging those interested in supporting the project to reach out for sponsorship opportunities. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2026.

Vernon Christian School, which serves students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, also includes a preschool program for three and four-year-olds. Having been a cornerstone of private education in the North Okanagan for nearly 50 years, VCS continues to adapt to the needs of its students and the community, ensuring it remains a vibrant educational environment for generations to come.

Gregg Douma, board chair and VCS alumnus, encapsulated the vision for the future, stating, “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.”