Hundreds of students and families in Trail will benefit from a new and expanded Glenmerry Elementary school by September 2024.  

“Supporting families in growing communities like Trail means making investments to ensure schools can give students the best educational experience possible,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. “The new Glenmerry Elementary school will almost double its current capacity, providing engaging, inspiring classrooms that will help children thrive in their education for many years to come.”

The Government of B.C. is investing $33.6 million in the new school, which will replace the existing facility with a safe learning environment with more space to learn, while reducing the school’s carbon footprint with a design that follows modern energy efficiency strategies – an important part of government’s CleanBC plan for a cleaner economy.

This new investment will see student capacity grow from the current 270-seat Glenmerry school to a modern building with space for 435 students. Construction is expected to start in August 2022.

To further benefit families in Trail, the new Glenmerry will be home to a neighbourhood learning centre that will provide community programming, as well as before- and after-school child care.

“Access to affordable, quality and inclusive child care close to home makes it easier for families to put down roots and plan for the future,” said Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West. “By investing in child care on school grounds, we can help make things so much easier for busy families, while inspiring a lifelong appreciation for learning in young children.”

Building new and expanded schools in communities throughout B.C. is part of government’s plan to provide the best learning experience possible to B.C. students.

Government has invested more than $2.2 billion in school capital projects over the past three years to replace aging schools, add more spaces in growing communities and accelerate seismic upgrades. 

This includes funding to create 13,445 new student seats at 40 new or expanded schools, and seismically safe spaces for more than 30,000 students at 54 schools.  

Quotes:

Catherine Zaitsoff, chair, Kootenay Columbia Board of Education –

“We are grateful the Ministry of Education and the Government of British Columbia recognized the hard work our district staff, our Glenmerry school community and our Trail community put in to develop our proposal for a new Glenmerry school. Funding this school and building it sustainably with a community focus has us excited at the learning opportunities awaiting our students. Thank you.”

Lisa Babcock, chair, Glenmerry Elementary school (GES) parent advisory council –

“We are so fortunate to be embarking on a journey that will provide the best possible learning environment for our children and we are so thankful that our voices at GES have been heard. This rebuild will allow our children space to grow, learn and develop and will provide life-changing opportunities for many years to come. Thank you MLA Conroy, Mayor Pasin, city councillors and SD 20 board for your support and advocacy!”