The story of the new Parkcrest Elementary School begins with a tragic fire that destroyed the former school on September 5, 2019. At that time, the District, staff, and community came together to support students and families and ensure the Parkcrest Elementary community stayed together. On September 16, 2019, Parkcrest students were relocated to George Hilliard, where they remained until the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

George Hilliard had previously been the home of the Alternative Education Program for secondary students, TREC (Twin Rivers Education Centre) and Four Directions (program of Choice for Aboriginal high school students). Bridges (Alternative Education Program for middle school students) was located at the former John Tod facility leased by the City of Kamloops for the Boys and Girls Club. These three programs (TREC, Four Directions, Bridges) are currently at Happyvale.

On January 25, 2021, a new, expanded, and energy efficient Parkcrest Elementary School design was announced. With an investment of $34.84 million from the Government of BC and $300,000 from the Kamloops-Thompson School District, the new Parkcrest was designed with a larger capacity of 510 seats to help prepare for expected enrollment growth in the community. The City of Kamloops also committed up to $2.5 million for the additional space required for a larger gymnasium and change room facilities for sporting events.

Construction on the new school began in 2022 and the newly rebuilt Parkcrest Elementary School welcomed student back at the start of 2024-2025 school year in September 2024. Students, staff, and the community marked this momentous occasion with a celebratory event on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Read more about the Parkcrest Elementary School Opening here. 

 

Rebuild of Parkcrest Elementary School (K-7) - Join the Journey and See the Build in Action

Dec. 18, 2019 - KamloopsNow News	Kamloops Fire Chief issues statement following conclusion of Parkcrest Elementary fire investigation.
Sept. 27, 2019 - SD73 News	Parkcrest Elementary sings at Kamloops Blazers game and hockey-goers donate more than $8,000 for Parkcrest Elementary School.
Sept. 23, 2019 - Public Board Meeting Minutes	Thank you to the community for generous donations.
Sept. 23, 2019 - Public Board Report	Elementary Students Relocate to George Hillard and TREC Students Relocate to Happyvale.
Sept. 16, 2019 - CFJC News	Parkcrest families start first day at George Hilliard.
Sept. 16, 2019 - SD73 News	Parkcrest students began their school year again at George Hilliard Elementary.
Sept. 10, 2019 - Kamloops This Week News	Minister of Education shares message about Parkcrest rebuild.
Sept. 9, 2019 - SD73 News	Parkcrest Recovery Plan presented to Board, staff, and parents/guardians of students — Parkcrest students and staff moving into George Hilliard Elementary.
Sept. 6, 2019 - CBC News	Community reacts to loss of Parkcrest Elementary.
Sept. 5, 2019 - Global News	News reports ‘Kamloops elementary school destroyed in massive fire’.
Sept. 5, 2019 - SD73 News	Tragic fire closes Parkcrest Elementary until further notice.
Sept. 5, 2019 - Fire	Tragic Fire

Sept. 4, 2020 - CFJC News	Superintendent Sullivan shares Parkcrest update one-year after fire.
June 22, 2020 - Public Board Report	Parkcrest identified as first priority in 2021-2022 Capital Plan.
Feb. 13, 2020 - SD73 News	Parkcrest students share thank you message for Kamloops.
Jan. 16, 2020 - SD73 News	Parkcrest Fire Investigation Completed.
Jan. 14, 2020 - Castanet Kamloops News	News reports on Parkcrest Elementary Fire Incident Report.
Jan. 15, 2020 - Public Board Report	Parkcrest Elementary Fire Incident Report reviewed by the Board of Education.

Nov. 22, 2021 - Public Board Report	Neighbourhood Learning Centre community engagement consultation plan presented to the Board.
June 24, 2021 - CBC News	Students and teachers get a glimpse of Parkcrest replacement school.
Jun. 22, 2021 - SD73 News	Design for New Parkcrest School Revealed—students and staff experience a virtual walk through the new school.
April 21, 2021	Capital Engagement Committee established - reviewes and provides input on elements of the design of the school.
Mar. 3, 2021 - SD73 News	Architect Announced - Station One Architects (formerly CHP Architects) of Chilliwack, BC selected.
Feb. 16, 2021 - Public Board Meeting Minutes	Parkcrest Elementary School Rebuild update presented to the Board.
Feb. 3, 2021 - CFJC News	Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside shares a message about Parkcrest Elementary School’s new beginning.
Jan. 26, 2021 - CBC News	News reports on Parkcrest rebuild update.
Jan. 25, 2021	Request For Proposals for an architect made public.
Jan. 25, 2021 - SD73 News	New, larger school for Parkcrest students, community announced.
Jan. 25, 2021 - Ministry News Release	Ministry approval for the Parkcrest Elementary rebuild.

April 11, 2022 - Public Board Report	Parkcrest Elementary Replacement Project update provided to the Board.
April 2022 - Construction Update	Construction on the the new Parkcrest Elementary School officially begins.
Mar. 31, 2022 - Radio NL News	News reports Parkcrest Elementary School construction to begin in spring 2022.
Mar. 31, 2022 - SD73 News	Contractor Announced — Dawson Wallace Construction selected to rebuild Parkcrest Elementary.

Nov. 1, 2023	See the Build-in-Action
	Front entrance - siding underway
	Parking lot - paving completed, landscaping underway
	Typical classroom - west wing - painting underway, flooring underway
	Typical classroom - west wing - painting underway, flooring underway
	West wing hallway - painting underway
	Playground installation almost complete - just waiting for the wood fiber installation
	Playfield - sod is complete
June 6, 2023	See the Build-in-Action
	North end of east hallway looking north. Status: Interior steel studs well underway
	Main entrance. Status: Mechanical and electrical rough-in underway
	NLC space looking east. Status: Interior steel studs well underway
	Typical classroom. Status: Interior steel studs well underway
	Looking at field from gym roof.  Status: Site - stripping of existing grass complete
	Gym.  Status: Roofing - complete except for the gym
April 3, 2023	See the Build-in-Action
	West classroom block. Status: Structural steel complete
	NLC area. Status: Mechanical and electrical underground rough in - complete
	Gym. Status: Exterior framing and sheathing - 50% complete
	North side of west wing. Status: Slabs - 20% complete
	West side of north wing. Status: Roofing - 70% complete

Sept. 4, 2024 - Welcome Back to Parkcrest video	Parkcrest students share their excitement for returning to Parkcrest Elementary School and what they like about their new school.
Sept. 4, 2024 - CFJC News	News reports on Parkcrest Opening: Five years after tragic fire, Parkcrest Elementary welcomes students back to a brand-new school.
Sept. 4, 2024 - SD73 News Release	Kamloops-Thompson School District and Board of Education celebrates the opening of the new Parkcrest Elementary School.
Sept. 4, 2024 - Ministry News Release	New Parkcrest Elementary School opens in Kamloops.
Sept. 3, 2024 - First day of school	Students return to Parkcrest Elementary on the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.
June 11, 2024	Child care RFP opens: New RFP for child care (T24031), specific to the newly built Parkcrest Elementary, becomes available on BC Bid. The RFP encompasses two rooms: Infant/Toddler and 3-5-year-old. The RFP is open from June 11 to August 9, 2024 (4pm).
May 6, 2024 - Deputy Minster Visit	Deputy Minister Christina Zacharuk, Assistant Deputy Minister Jennifer McCrea, and Associate Superintendent of Indigenous Education Brad Baker visit the Kamloops-Thompson School District and tour the new Parkcrest Elementary School.
Feb. 14, 2024 - Radio NL News	News reports students to return to Parkcrest Elementary in September 2024.
Feb. 12, 2024 - Public Board Report	The Board supports the first day for students to attend the rebuilt Parkcrest Elementary School to be Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
Jan. 31, 2024	See the Build-in-Action
	Special Education room looking towards outside wall
	Gymnasium looking towards north wall
	Gymnasium looking at ceiling towards southeast corner of gym
	Looking down west corridor from office area
	Typical classroom looking towards outside wall
	Typical classroom looking toward hallway wall
	Library looking south to outside wall
	Front entry area looking at library

September 2025	YMCA Parkcrest Care and Learning Centre opens at Parkcrest Elementary School, with 28 full-day child care spaces for children ages 0 to 5, operated by YMCA BC.
Sept. 22, 2025 - SD73 News	SD73 and YMCA BC Celebrate the Opening the of YMCA Parkcrest Care and Learning Centre.
Sept. 22, 2025 – Ministry News Release	Kamloops families benefit from new child care spaces.
Sept. 22, 2025 – CFJC News	News reports YMCA-operated child care facility opens at Parkcrest elementary.
Sept. 22, 2025 – Radio NL	News reports New child care centre opens at Parkcrest Elementary, 52 new licensed spaces for Kamloops.

Watch for updates here and through social media.

Questions can be sent to: Facility Input

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