Design for New Parkcrest School Revealed

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Students and staff from Parkcrest Elementary School got the chance to take a virtual walk through their new school on June 22, 2021.

The Government of B.C. is investing $34.84 million and the Kamloops-Thompson School District is investing $300,000 in a new, 510-seat Kindergarten to Grade 6 Parkcrest Elementary. This replaces the former school, which was lost to fire in September 2019. The new school will be rebuilt with capacity for an additional 120 students to prepare for expected enrolment growth in the community.

The architect firm Station One brought pictures and a video to a Zoom call to take students through the one-story, L-shaped building.

“The nice thing about a one-story school like this is that it will provide students with the opportunity to have direct access to the outside,” said Justin Dyck, Principle Partner from Station One.

The school is designed with heavy timber, brick and wood, and large windows. The  4,380m2 replacement School will have 18 Classrooms and three Kindergarten classrooms for 60 students.

The City of Kamloops commitment of up to $2.5 million allows for an enhanced (double-sized) gymnasium and Neighbourhood Learning Centre space.  

Sustainably designed to reduce greenhouse gases, the new school will incorporate geothermal heating and cooling through a geothermal loop beneath the playing field . While it isn’t in the budget yet, there is a potential for solar panels to be installed on the roof.

“The Board was pleased to work with Station One Architects on the re-design of Parkcrest, the same firm that designed the Valleyview Secondary School expansion,” said Board Chair Rhonda Kershaw. “We are excited to be here today. It has been nearly two years since we lost Parkcrest Elementary.”

This extra funding provides an opportunity to create space promoting strong school community partnerships, using school facilities to meet the needs of children, youth, families and the Brocklehurst neighbourhood.

Incoming Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Rhonda Nixon thanked everyone for their efforts.

“It is fitting that we end this school year optimistically,” she said. “To be able to envision this beautiful new Parkcrest Elementary and to head into the summer, knowing that students, families, teachers and staff should plan for a near normal return to school when we restart in September.”

Here is the Zoom recording of the design walkthrough:

Here is the virtual walkthrough: