Nearly three years post the destruction of Hazel Trembath Elementary School in Port Coquitlam due to a suspicious fire, preparations have commenced for its replacement. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday to mark the start of constructing the new kindergarten to Grade 5 school. Arya Hehar, a student at Hazel Trembath, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming changes, including larger spaces and the reinstatement of amenities like the three playgrounds and the pond.
The new facility will be the first school in British Columbia to be constructed using hybrid methods, incorporating prefabricated construction in many classrooms and main areas. This innovative approach is expected to shorten the construction timeline by a full school year, with the school set to open by winter 2027.
Amid criticism from school families and local leaders regarding the delay in rebuilding, Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West highlighted the community’s efforts to push for progress. The replacement school, with a capacity of 240 seats and costing $39 million, will feature two kindergarten classrooms, eight elementary classrooms, and a neighborhood learning center for potential child-care spaces.
Hazel Trembath principal Jason Hewlett acknowledged the challenges faced by the school community since the 2023 fire, emphasizing the hard work leading up to this momentous occasion. An investigation by the RCMP determined the fire that razed the former school was of human origin and criminal in nature, though no arrests were made.