A 103-year-old South Surrey schoolhouse demolished in 2023 will be removed from the city’s heritage register after a recent council decision.
South Surrey Schoolhouse Removed from Heritage Register
A century-old one-room schoolhouse in South Surrey is set to be removed from the City of Surrey’s Community Heritage Register, two years after it was demolished. Surrey City Council voted unanimously on July 28 to delist the Grandview Heights Elementary School Annex, located at 17561 20 Avenue, following a recommendation from the Surrey Heritage Advisory Commission.
Council Responds to Heritage Commission’s Recommendation
According to the commission’s June 11 meeting minutes, the decision stems from a May 29 report by the city’s heritage planner. The report noted the building’s demolition in 2023 and emphasized the need to ensure accurate documentation of remaining heritage assets. The planner also clarified that properties can be added or removed from the register through commission recommendation and council approval.
A Historic Fixture in the Community
Built in 1922, the Grandview Heights Annex was one of only two one-room schoolhouses in Surrey still located on their original sites and used for teaching. It was added to the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 2009. As noted on historicplaces.ca, the structure was valued for its association with the growth of the Grandview Heights neighbourhood in the 1920s, its traditional schoolhouse architecture, and its representation of community volunteerism.
Archival Documentation and Property Ownership
City staff confirmed during the June meeting that the site is owned by the Surrey School Board. In line with protocol, a collection of heritage planning documents was archived before the building was torn down. This process ensures historical records are preserved, even when physical structures are not.
Future of the Site Still Undecided
While the annex was demolished in 2023, the main Grandview Heights school building followed in March 2025, 19 years after it was closed. At that time, a spokesperson for Surrey Schools indicated that the district may consider exchanging the land for another parcel elsewhere in the city, potentially one less impacted by traffic and safety concerns.
Heritage Database to Reflect Change
The Grandview Heights Annex remained listed among 88 heritage sites in South Surrey. However, with council’s recent approval, its removal from the official register will soon reflect its demolished status, aligning city records with on-the-ground realities.
