New School - Sníne Elementary School (K-7) Opens in the Fall 2026

Snine Elementary

We are preparing for the opening of Sníne Elementary School, K-7 in the Fall of 2026. Join us on the journey of planning, designing, and building this new school.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Posted On Tuesday October 24, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers are available here.

Sníne Elementary, the Kamloops-Thompson’s newest school, will be located in Pineview Valley.

The Board of Education has advocated for a new elementary school in the Pineview Valley since 2020 due to notable space pressures in the southwest sector, notably McGowan Park Elementary School that continues to be at 160% capacity utilization.

Following the announcement of funding support from the Government of BC on February 22, 2023, the Pineview Valley Community Engagement Committee was established. The committee included a group of representatives from various community partners, parents, employee groups, associations, senior staff, trustees, and the Ministry of Education and Child Care.

Following a public consultation process in early 2024, the school was named Sníne Elementary. Sníne (pronounced Sneena) is the Secwépemc word for owl, and symbolizes strength, wisdom, and guidance. The name was brought forward to the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc fluent Elders working group (Wumecwílc – Bringing the language forward-back). The Secwépemc have many legends of Owl not only being a messenger but also being a teacher of children. The naming committee and consultation process included voices from Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Chief and Council, the District Aboriginal Education Council, employee executive groups, the District Parent Advisory Council, parents, community partners, and students.

Sníne Elementary - Owls Elementary (Sneena)

Construction on the new Sníne Elementary School in Pineview Valley officially started in June 2024. On Monday, June 3, 2024, the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education celebrated the start of construction with an official Groundbreaking Ceremony.

Sníne Elementary School is expected to open in Fall 2026.

Advocacy & Community Engagement for a New Elementary School in Pineview Valley - Opens in the Fall of 2026

June 22, 2020 - Public Board Report

New elementary school in Pineview Valley identified as first priority in the 2021-2022 Capital Plan New School Projects.

May 21, 2021 - SD73 News

District receives support from the Ministry of Education to proceed with a business case for a new school in Pineview Valley.

Aug. 30, 2021- Public Board Report

Ministry of Education and Child Care approves the Pineview Valley Concept Plan, which enabled the District to proceed with a Project Definition Report, provided the following conditions were met:

A Neighbourhood Learning Centre (NLC) option with a strong consideration for childcare.
Enhanced greenhouse gas reduction strategies (50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions).
Multiple procurements to deliver the project to be investigated and presented.
Integration of significant mass timber elements to be considered.

Dec. 28, 2022 - Board Communication	Board Chair Grieve writes a letter to the Minister of Education and Child Care asking for joint news release for Pineview Valley Elementary School.
Sept. 3, 2022 - CFJC News	News reports elementary school in Pineview Valley is a step closer to reality.
Sept. 1, 2022 - SD73 News	Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education moves another step closer toward school in Pineview Valley.
June 27, 2022 - Board Communications	Ministry response to expedite the Crown Grant application for the Pineview Elementary School.
June 14, 2022 - Board Communication	Board Chair Grieve writes a letter to the Minister of Forestry requesting support to expedite Pineview Valley Elementary School Crown Grant.

Dec. 22, 2023 - Progress Update	In preparation for the new elementary school in Pineview Valley, the Pineview Valley Engagement Committee meet and contribute input considered in the design of the outside and inside of the school. The preliminary earthworks for the new Pineview Valley Elementary school is complete. This project included: tree removal clearing of vegetation removal of materials not suitable for the next phase of construction relocation of material on site erosion and sediment control structures on the site The next step of the Pineview Valley Elementary project is to put the remaining work out to tender, which is anticipated to happen around the middle of February 2024.
Dec. 11, 2023 - Public Board Report and Minutes	The Board of Education approves Trustees Jules and Kang to be the Board’s representatives on the School Naming Committee for the 2023-2024 school year.
Nov. 29, 2023 - Video Presentation	Pineview Valley Elementary Community Engagement Webinar.
Nov. 6, 2023 - Public Board Report and Minutes	The Board of Education directs the Superintendent to follow procedures outlined in Section 3 of Administrative Procedure 541 - Naming/Renaming of Schools and District Facilities for the naming of the new school in Pineview Valley and bring back a recommendation to the Board for approval.
Nov. 1, 2023 - Castanet Kamloops News	News reports that community consultation leads to design changes for elementary school in Pineview Valley.
Oct. 30, 2023 - Public Board Report	Pineview Valley Community Engagement Committee update.
Oct. 20, 2023 - Draft Plans	The most current draft plans of the new school are shared.
Oct. 17, 2023 - SD73 News	Video Presentation of the Draft Plans for new elementary school in Pineview Valley.
Aug. 29, 2023 - SD73 News Release	The Board of Education shares Pineview Valley Engagement Committee Feedback on Draft Plans for New School in Pineview Valley.
Aug. 28, 2023 - Public Board Report	Pineview Valley Community Engagement Committee update provided to the Board.
June 27, 2023 - Board Communications	The Ministry of Forestry responds that a regular process can take up to four years and to follow all steps.
Apr. 27, 2023 - The first meeting of the Pineview Valley Community Engagement Committee.	The Pineview Valley Community Engagment Committee meet to review the architectural draft plans for the school. Many ideas were shared about how to consider the space from an Indigenous perspective (i.e., the importance of the beautiful ecological environment surrounding the school with lakes and trails and creating an outdoor space in which there could be room to gather, to cook, to participate in land-based teachings and ceremonies) and to consider the indoor learning commons and multi-purpose space as having a wall that can be temporary so as to create a space inside for family gatherings and consider making it easily accessible to the outside space. The notion of a "pit house" Secwepemc winter home as the shape or rendering of this space was shared. Other ideas such as creating multi-use rooms that can be used for Art, Science, Music, and Drama, as some examples were reviewed (i.e., having sound panels, sinks, cupboards for supplies).
Apr. 18, 2023 - Castanet Kamloops News	News reports Station One Architect working on mass timber, climate-resilient design for new Pineview elementary school.
Apr. 18, 2023 - SD73 News	Architect public announcement — the Kamloops-Thompson School Board looks forward to working with Station One Architects to design new elementary school in Pineview Valley.
Apr. 17, 2023 - Public Board Report	Pineview Valley Community Engagement Committee is established. This committee will include: 2 trustee representatives Superintendent of Schools Assistant Superintendent, Elementary and Early Learning Secretary Treasurer Director McDonald Director Pinette Station One Architect representative Ministry of Education and Child Care representative Indigenous rights holders – Aboriginal Education Council Director Diane Jules, AEC representatives, District Principal, Mike Bowden School administration (McGowan) 2 representatives from CUPE and KTTA (McGowan) School parents – 2 representatives (McGowan) Employee Group Executives - CUPE, KTTA, KTPVPA 2 community partners (rotational position - through expressed interest and rsvp) The purpose of the committee is to offer perspectives, to ask questions, and to provide suggestions on draft plans for the school regarding facilities, programming, resources, and grounds development.
Mar. 13, 2023 - Board Report	Announcement of the Architect for Pineview Valley — awarded to Station One Architects
Mar. 9, 2023 - SD73 News Release	Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education celebrates the funding announcement for a new elementary school in Pineview Valley.
Mar. 3, 2023 - Board Correspondence	Ministry responds to Board Chair Grieve’s Letter asking for a funding announcement for Pineview Valley.
Feb. 22, 2023 - Radio NL News	BC Government announces $65.3 million funding for new school in Pineview Valley.
Feb. 6, 2023 - Public Board Report	Pineview Valley continues to be a top priority in the Long Range Facilities Plan.
Jan. 31, 2023 - SD73 Board Column	Vice Chair Kershaw writes a column in Kamloops This Week advocating for the urgent need for a new school in Pineview Valley.
Jan. 24, 2023 - SD73 News	The Board of Education meets with the Minister of Education and Child Care to request a funding announcement for Pineview Valley.

June 2024 - Construction Update
June 4, 2024 - Castanet Kamloops and CFJC News	News reports that construction is underway for new Sníne Elementary School.
June 3, 2024 - Ministry News Release	Construction of new Kamloops school begins.
June 3, 2024 - SD73 News Release	Sníne Elementary Groundbreaking Ceremony marks the beginning of construction. Watch the Sníne Elementary Groundbreaking Ceremony here.
Apr. 23, 2024 - Radio NL News	News reports school in Pineview Valley now has a name — Sníne Elementary.
Apr. 22, 2024 - Public Board Report and Minutes	Following a public consultation process, the Board of Education approves the name of the new elementary school in Pineview Valley to be Sníne Elementary.
Apr. 22, 2024 - Public Board Report	After the tender for the Sníne Elementary School project closed on April 5, 2024, School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) approves the lowest compliant bid, which was received from Yellowridge Construction Ltd.
Apr. 8, 2024 - Public Board Report	Pineview Valley school naming update provided to the Board.
Mar. 13, 2023 - CFJC News	Name suggestions for elementary school in Pineview Valley narrowed down to five finalists.
Jan. 22, 2023 - Castanet Kamloops News	SD73 seeks public input for name of new Pineview Valley elementary school.
Jan. 22, 2024 - Radio NL News	Pineview Valley school initial tender work surges ahead of schedule.
Jan. 15, 2024 - Public Board Report	Pineview Valley elementary project update — Earthworks package complete and final design is nearing completion.
Jan. 10 and Mar. 1, 2024 - Public Consultation	A public consultation process was established by the Community Engagement Naming Committee that was open between January 10 and March 1, 2024, whereby the public, staff, and students could put forth a recommended school name based on the criteria outlined in the Administrative Procedure 541 - Naming/Renaming of Schools.