Parkcrest Elementary School in Kamloops was destroyed by a fire on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019.

(KAREN EDWARDS / iNFOnews.ca)

The province has announced plans to build a new school in Kamloops to replace the burned down Parkcrest Elementary.

The Government of B.C. is set to invest nearly $35 million, along with $300,000 from School District 73, to build a new Parkcrest Elementary, according to Ministry of Education media release. Construction is planned to begin summer 2022 and have the school open by spring 2024.

Students and teachers have been displaced since the fire in September 2019, continuing classes at other schools and portables around the city.

“When completed, this bigger, brighter and modern space will be a welcome new home for the displaced school community. 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," chair of the Kamloops-Thompson board of education Rhonda Kershaw says in the release.

The new Parkcrest school will be designed to seat 510 students from Kindergarten to Grade 6, 120 more students than previously enrolled in anticipation of more students as the community grows.

“Rebuilding the school supports a revitalized and expanding neighbourhood, and we are happy to partner in this project," Mayor Ken Christian said in the release. "Council has committed to the reconstruction of Parkcrest by providing up to $2.5 million to increase the gym size from elementary standards to a full-size, multi-purpose gymnasium. 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.”

READ MORE: Valleyview Secondary is getting an over $32M makeover

The neighbouring Valleyview Secondary had nearly $33 million invested from the province to add 525 seats to its capacity. That addition is set to open September 2022.

Find past stories on Parkcrest Elementary here.

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