Photo: Castanet Staff

Parkcrest elementary was destroyed by fire on Sept. 5, 2019.

A new Parkcrest elementary will be ready to welcome students in 2024, according to the provincial government.

Parkcrest elementary was destroyed by fire in the fall of 2019.

In a news release on Monday, the province said it will spend nearly $35 million on the school, while the Kamloops-Thompson school district will kick in $300,000. The City of Kamloops is slated to contribute $2.5 million to expand the school’s gymnasium and change room facilities for community use.

SD73 board chair Rhonda Kershaw said the district is happy to begin the rebuilding process at Parkcrest.

“When completed, the bigger, brighter and modern space will be a welcome new home for the displaced school community,” she said.

“We look forward to our students and staff returning to their school and to be able to offer an expanded facility to the entire community.”

Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian said the project will support a revitalized and expanding Brocklehurst neighbourhood. He said the expanded gymnasium will be a benefit for everyone.

“This not only benefits students, but would also be available for booking by community and sport groups, providing much-needed access to indoor recreation space in Kamloops,” he said.

When complete, the new Parkcrest school will be big enough for 510 students — an increase of 120 from the previous facility.

“Our school community has been anxiously awaiting this news, and we are thrilled to learn that the funding is approved,” said Courtney Bell, Parkcrest elementary PAC chair.

“We look forward to seeing shovels in the ground and our students and staff returning to a new Parkcrest. Our hearts have ached when seeing the empty lot, and we can’t wait for students and families to make new memories in a brand-new school.”

Work on the project is expected to get underway in the summer of 2022. The doors to the new school are slated to open in the spring of 2024.