Province approves plan to rebuild Hazel Trembath Elementary
After a devastating fire two years ago, the plan to rebuild Hazel Trembath Elementary is moving forward with expedited construction timelines for a modern and safer school.
“Schools are the heart of our communities, and we know that the loss of Hazel Trembath Elementary has deeply impacted parents, students, teachers and staff,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “I’m grateful to the school district for working with us on an innovative first-in-B.C. approach that will expedite construction and speed up the delivery of this new school for families.”
The new 240-seat elementary school will include:
- two kindergarten classrooms and eight elementary classrooms;
- classrooms and main areas that will use prefabricated construction, and a gym that will be built using regular construction methods, helping ensure students can start attending the school as soon as possible;
- a neighbourhood learning centre for future child care spaces;
- parking that includes electric-vehicle charging stations; and
- a high-efficiency heat pump that provides heating and cooling, while reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by about 50%.
“Students in Port Coquitlam deserve to go to school close to home, and parents and families deserve the convenience that this brings,” said Mike Farnworth, MLA for Port Coquitlam. “After the loss of Hazel Trembath Elementary in our community, we know the rebuild can’t come quickly enough for families, and our government is working urgently to deliver a new school that will welcome students back as soon as possible.”
The new school will be built on the original Hazel Trembath Elementary site at 1278 Confederation Dr. in Port Coquitlam. This will be the first school in the Province built with hybrid construction methods, with the majority of the building using prefabricated materials. This innovative approach will allow the school to open at least one full school year earlier than if built with traditional construction methods alone, while still delivering a high-quality school that meets the same standards as a traditional school project.
“The board of education and Hazel Trembath community are thrilled that funding has been approved to rebuild,” said Michael Thomas, chair, Port Coquitlam board of education. “Since the loss of the original building, we’ve been dedicated to bringing students and families back to their own neighbourhood as quickly as possible. We understand the connections this helps foster between students, families, school and community. Thank you to Minister Mike Farnworth, city council, district staff and community members for their tireless work and advocacy, and to the Province for helping bring Hazel Trembath home.”
The total cost for this project is expected to be nearly $39 million. Construction is anticipated to start in July 2026, and occupancy is scheduled for December 2027. The Province and school district will continue working diligently together to identify opportunities to get students and teachers into their new classrooms at the earliest date possible.
“Children in Port Coquitlam deserve a bright, safe and welcoming school close to home,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care. “We’re proud to support a rebuild that will give families and students the spaces they need to thrive.”
With this project, the Province has provided more than $454 million for 1,375 seismically safer seats and 2,600 new spaces for Coquitlam students over the past eight years.
