With a lush green slope as the backdrop, families from Port Moody and Anmore gathered today for the official opening of their new $28-million Eagle Mountain Middle school.

MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam Linda Reimer, trustees from the Coquitlam school district (SD 43) and Anmore Mayor John McEwen, along with residents, toured the new facility before joining students and staff for the official ceremony in the school gym. 

Eagle Mountain Middle school, located above Heritage Mountain Secondary school, serves Port Moody and Anmore communities and can accommodate 500 students in grades 6 to 8. This new school was designed with interactive learning for students and staff in mind. It provides open spaces for collaboration and a common courtyard to connect different program areas together, and is filled with natural lighting to create a comfortable environment.

The school’s innovative design won the 2011 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence. It is built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards. B.C. wood was used extensively  in the school construction.

This new facility also features a Neighbourhood Learning Centre (NLC) which provides day care and after-school care for local families through a $500,000 contribution from the Village of Anmore.

In addition to Eagle Mountain Middle school, SD 43 has been working with the Ministry of Education on other seismic projects supported by the government. These include the replacements of Pitt River Middle school, which officially opened last year, and Centennial Secondary school, now under construction with expected completion next fall. The district and ministry are also developing plans to replace Moody Middle and Banting Middle schools, as well as the upgrade to Minnekhada Middle school.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

“One of our key goals in BC’s Education Plan is to create flexible learning environments that encourage collaboration, and can accommodate different learning styles for students as well as staff.”

“Eagle Mountain Middle school, with its modern, student-oriented design, is a great example of our vision for B.C. schools. It is a wonderful place for our students to learn, and the on-site Neighbourhood Learning Centre also provides child-care services to Anmore as well as Port Moody families.”

Linda Reimer, MLA for Port-Moody-Coquitlam -

“Our Port Moody and Anmore communities have been looking forward to the opening of Eagle Mountain Middle school since the project broke ground in 2012. Families here watched the school being constructed from the ground up, and I am very excited to celebrate this special occasion with them today. This school will be an important part of our residents’ lives for years to come.”

Judy Shirra, chair, Coquitlam board of education -

“Eagle Mountain Middle is truly a gem nestled into the side of a mountain! This school was winning awards before it was open and we can't wait to see the many awards our students will achieve.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, 26 capital and seismic projects worth more than $119 million have been completed in the Coquitlam school district. In addition, the Province invested more than $9.1 million for additional space for full-day kindergarten.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has committed a total of more than $4 billion in school capital and maintenance projects throughout B.C.

Learn More:

Eagle Mountain Middle school design by B+H Architects: http://www.bharchitects.com/en/projects/343

Eagle Mountain Middle school mission statement: http://www.sd43.bc.ca/middle/EagleMountain/Publications/EMMS%20-%20mission%20statement.pdf

BC's Education Plan: http://www.bcedplan.ca/

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963