After a lengthy two-year wait for Port Coquitlam residents, a much-anticipated plan was finally unveiled by the B.C. government on Friday to reconstruct an elementary school that was ravaged by fire.
Hazel Trembath Elementary succumbed to flames on October 14, 2023, leaving the City of Port Coquitlam and parents hopeful for a swift reconstruction. However, the province had not committed to the project until now.
Expressing a sense of urgency, Mike Farnworth, MLA for Port Coquitlam, stated, “Our government is diligently working towards providing a new school to welcome students back at the earliest.”
Mayor Brad West welcomed the announcement, believing it would bring relief to local families who had endured a period of uncertainty and anxiety.
Reflecting on the community’s response to the tragedy, West expressed pride, stating, “Our community united in the face of adversity, ensuring that all affected individuals received support. We mobilized to meet the needs of our children, teachers, and staff, and made sure our voices were heard by the province.”
While acknowledging the delayed progress, West remained optimistic about the future transparency in the process, deeming Friday’s announcement a significant milestone.
In a bid to expedite the reconstruction, the city has pledged to prioritize permits promptly.
Karen Polano, a parent of a displaced student, expressed a mix of relief and frustration at the news, emphasizing that the journey to this point had been unduly prolonged.
The province has outlined plans to construct a new 240-seat school on the site of the former school, with work commencing in July 2026 and a projected completion date of December 2027, at an estimated cost of $39 million.
Polano criticized the timeline as “ridiculous,” advocating for a more immediate design process.