Students, families and the Burke Mountain community have much to smile about with construction underway for the new $20.5-million Smiling Creek Elementary school.

Education Minister Mike Bernier, MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam Linda Reimer, Coquitlam school district board of education vice-chair Michael Thomas and Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart met at the site of the new school today to mark the start of construction and unveil the design plans for the school and playfield.

The 3,700-square-metre two-storey school will include 15 grades 1-5 classrooms, four kindergarten classrooms and will create 430 new student spaces: 80 kindergarten and 350 elementary. It will also include a Neighbourhood Learning Centre with a state-of-the-art gym and a multi-purpose room with a kitchen. The design and open learning spaces in the school will support B.C.’s new curriculum.

The environmentally sustainable building will feature natural light and recycling centres throughout the building. Natural and modern design elements will be also used.

The project also includes a park and grass sports field next to the school that students and the community will have access to as part of an agreement between the City of Coquitlam and the school district.

Government is providing $17.6 million toward the project and the school district is providing $2.9 million for a total cost of $20.5 million. For the purchase of the land, the City of Coquitlam provided $5.15 million and the school district provided $4.8 million. The city has also provided $2.8 million to build the park and grass sports field next to the school. The school is expected to be open to students in September 2018.

Government is able to make investments like Smiling Creek Elementary school thanks to the Province’s fiscal discipline and strong economy. The project is also helping ensure young people get a chance to learn the trades, as it is being built under B.C.’s Apprentices on Public Projects Policy.

Quotes:

Mike Bernier, Minister of Education –

“Today’s announcement marks the steady progress and strong partnership involved to push this important and much-needed project forward. The new Smiling Creek Elementary will give our youngest learners a state-of-the-art learning space and support families and the growing community of Burke Mountain.”

Linda Reimer, MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam –

“We’re tackling increasing student enrolment head on with the new Smiling Creek Elementary school project. With major construction now underway, students and the Burke Mountain community are one step closer to having their first brand new school.”

Judy Shirra, chair, board of education, Coquitlam school district –

“School District 43 (Coquitlam) is excited to see the first school on Burke Mountain becoming a reality. We appreciate the support of government in recognizing the need for new schools in our large and fast-growing district and the City of Coquitlam and Wesbild for partnering with us to benefit the community we all serve.”

Richard Stewart, mayor, City of Coquitlam –

“The partnership between the City of Coquitlam and School District 43 will deliver two significant community amenities: a school site and a new park that will be jointly used by the school, neighbouring families and the community. Through the city’s development of the new Smiling Creek Park, we will add over 3.4 acres of park space and bring important sports and recreational amenities to Coquitlam’s Burke Mountain neighbourhood.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, 31 capital and seismic projects worth more than $172 million have been completed in the Coquitlam School District, including:
  • Heritage Woods Secondary - $27.5-million new school
  • James Park Elementary - $14.4-million seismic replacement
  • Pitt River Community school - $19.6-million seismic replacement
  • Eagle Mountain Middle - $30.2-million seismic replacement

• In addition to the new $20.5-million Smiling Creek capital project, there are three full seismic replacement projects underway in the district, for a total of $114.5 million.
  • Centennial Secondary - $61.1 million
  • Moody Middle - $28.7 million
  • Banting Middle - $24.7 million

Learn More:

Coquitlam School District (SD43): http://ow.ly/V2CFn

City of Coquitlam: http://www.coquitlam.ca/parkplanning

Neighbourhood Learning Centres: http://ow.ly/UUlV0

Apprentices on Public Projects: http://ow.ly/UUlNg

B.C.’s new curriculum: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/