A newly built extension to École Panorama Heights Elementary will get Coquitlam students out of portables and into more modern classrooms.
"Engaging learning environments help students succeed at school. That's why the Province is getting students out of portables and into classrooms designed for 21st-century learning," said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. "Bringing more capacity to growing communities like Coquitlam will ensure families have the resources they need for generations to come."
The extension adds four classrooms and will create capacity for 100 more student spaces. This addition has allowed the school to relocate three portables to other district locations.
Since 2017, the Government of B.C. has invested more than $134 million to support Coquitlam School District students and staff with improved learning environments, including:
- addition to Westwood Elementary with capacity for 150 more students, completed September 2020;
- addition to Dr. Charles Best Secondary with capacity for 150 more students, completed February 2021;
- full seismic replacement of Irvine Elementary, expected occupancy in fall of 2022;
- new Sheffield Elementary with space for 430 students, expected occupancy in fall of 2022;
- approval of a replacement of Moody Elementary with space for an additional 115 students for a total of 385 students, expected occupancy in fall of 2024; and
- approval of a new Burke Mountain school with room for 1,000 middle and secondary students proceeding to business case development.
"Increasing school capacity in a growing neighbourhood is very valuable to the community," said Kerri Palmer Isaak, board chair, School District 43, Coquitlam. "Also, adding classroom spaces supports a strategic goal of the board of education to create and maintain innovative and sustainable facilities to meet emerging learning needs."
The Government of B.C. provided $6.2 million for the expansion project. École Panorama Heights Elementary houses a robust French Immersion program that serves families in the surrounding neighbourhood.
"I'm pleased this addition has reduced the need for portables and will get students learning in four new classrooms," said Fin Donnelly, MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain. "Our Province is committed to improving the learning environment in schools, especially in growing communities."
Marvin Klassen, chair, School District 43's Parent Advisory Council, said: "Parents are thrilled to have their children back in the main building where they are able to learn and interact with their peers throughout the day."
The extension to École Panorama Heights Elementary school is part of the Province's work to meet enrolment demand and reduce portables in communities throughout B.C.
Budget 2021 includes nearly $3.5 billion for school capital investments, including new and expanded schools, seismic upgrades and replacements, and site purchases to ensure land is in place to accommodate growth in fast-growing communities throughout the province.
Learn More:
To learn more about the Coquitlam School District, visit: https://www.sd43.bc.ca
For more information about major public school capital projects underway, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/capital/major-capital-projects
