SD73 Announces Contractor to Rebuild Parkcrest Elementary

Dawson Wallace Construction has been awarded the contract for the construction of the new Parkcrest Elementary School.

Lost to fire on September 5, 2019, the rebuilding of Parkcrest was announced Jan. 25, 2021. 

“We are looking forward to a much-awaited ground-breaking for the Parkcrest project, which is to begin this spring with Dawson Wallace Construction Ltd.” said Heather Grieve, Board of Education Chair, School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson), noting that Dawson Wallace Construction was the lowest compliant bid from the recently closed tender process. “Our experience with Dawson Wallace on the Valleyview Expansion project has been very positive,” she confirmed.

“We’re proud to continue serving the community of Kamloops,” said Myron Grunsky, Dawson Wallace Principal. “We have had the opportunity to establish relationships and have grown to appreciate not only the School District but the industry partners in the region. We’re excited for the opportunity to leverage our collective experience and what we have learned at Valleyview for the benefit of all project stakeholders and to continue our commitment to supporting the construction needs of British Columbia’s communities.”

Construction is set to begin in Spring 2022 with the school expected to open by Spring 2024. The Ministry of Education has provided additional funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while reducing the school’s annual energy costs. The new school will have the District’s first ground source heating/cooling system.

The Government of B.C. is investing $34.84 million to rebuild the former 390-seat Kindergarten to Grade 6 school and expand its capacity to 510 students in anticipation of the growth in Brocklehurst. The Ministry of Education has also provided funding for a Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

The District is investing $300,000 towards the expansion, while the City of Kamloops has committed up to $2.5 million for the additional space required for a larger gymnasium for community sporting events.   

“We look forward to the strong school-community partnerships that are enabled by this collaborative effort to ensure that our school facilities meet the needs of children, youth, families, and the Brocklehurst neighbourhood,” emphasized Board Chair Grieve.