When Hazel Trembath Elementary School tragically burned down on a fateful day in October 2023, the City of Port Coquitlam and concerned parents were promised a swift reconstruction. However, as nearly two years have passed since the devastating incident, doubts linger about whether the province will fulfill its commitment.
Strolling through the now-empty grounds where Hazel Trembath Elementary once proudly stood, Shawna Comey can’t help but feel a deep sense of loss.
“It’s truly heartbreaking. The emptiness is palpable. Every day, as we come to collect and drop off our kids, we’re faced with this void, waiting for a new school to rise,” shared Comey.
Since the school was ravaged by a fire determined to be caused by human activity, students and staff have been relocated to the Winslow Centre, a 20-minute bus ride away, with the understanding that it would be a temporary arrangement.
The absence of their familiar school environment has posed challenges, as Comey reflected, “During the initial months, it was tough. Adjusting to the bus rides, losing precious class time, missing the personal touch of teacher-student interactions that we cherished.”
Although the province confirmed budget allocation for a replacement school in the 2025 fiscal plan back in March, there has been no concrete building blueprint or timeline, leaving the community in a state of uncertainty.
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West expressed frustration over the prolonged delay, recounting numerous discussions with officials that yielded no definitive action plan. “We’ve explored all avenues, engaged in countless dialogues with ministers and officials. Yet, the response remains the same: ‘We’re working on it,'” lamented West.
Despite the collective efforts of the city and school community, including fundraising, petitioning, and advocacy, progress on the reconstruction front has been sluggish, placing the onus on the province to move forward.
While Comey acknowledges that her daughter may never return to the new school, her commitment to advocating for the project stems from the profound impact it holds for the community at large.
In a bid to escalate the pressure on the government, more parents are gearing up to stage a rally next week, seeking tangible action.
In response to the mounting concerns, Minister of Infrastructure Bowinn Ma assured that efforts are underway to expedite the rebuild, with the pending steps involving the approval of the business plan and project budget.