Location of the chosen Valleyview site / Courtesy of Yukon Government
Whitehorse, YT – After more than seven decades of service, Whitehorse’s oldest operating school is officially on the path to a modern replacement. The Government of Yukon has selected an un-surveyed lot across from the Canada Games Centre, known as the Valleyview site, as the location for the new École Whitehorse Elementary School.
The current facility has served generations of Yukoners, but officials agree it is time for an update. The new location was chosen following a comprehensive site assessment that evaluated project costs, community feedback, schedules, transportation, and student-staff needs. Outscoring two alternative proposals, the Valleyview site earned a top technical score of 179 out of 270, beating out the Kopper King site (155) and a downtown option (133).
Territorial officials emphasized that public and stakeholder input played a big role in the final decision. Online survey results, alongside feedback from students, staff, and the École Whitehorse Elementary School Council, helped shape the outcome.
“This is an important step toward replacing École Whitehorse Elementary School,” said Minister of Education Scott Kent, “Selecting a site allows us to move from assessment and planning toward building a modern school that will serve students and families for generations.”
Principal Sharon McCoubrey noted that students were proud to see their voices shape the future of their community, pointing to nearby trails, recreation facilities, and outdoor learning opportunities as major perks of the new location.
The new facility is planned to accommodate up to 600 students and roughly 55 staff members, an increase from the maximum of 475 at the original building. While the site is secured, the project still faces regulatory hurdles. The Valleyview location requires an Official Community Plan amendment and rezoning approval from the City of Whitehorse. The territorial government is also advancing the runner-up Kopper King site through rezoning as a designated backup option.
Students and staff will remain at the current École Whitehorse Elementary School location while construction phases take place. Throughout the process, the territorial government will work closely with the City of Whitehorse, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, and the Valleyview Community Association. The broader project schedule and timelines will be updated as municipal approvals, site investigations, and design phases are finalized.
