Construction has officially begun on the replacement for Hazel Trembath Elementary in Coquitlam, the school district confirmed, marking a key step toward restoring neighbourhood learning space lost in the October 2023 fire.
Replacing a school lost to fire
The new school will provide 240 seats and include a neighbourhood learning centre designed to accommodate future child care spaces. The provincial government is contributing $39 million to the project, which is expected to open in December 2027.
Mike Farnworth, MLA for Port Coquitlam, described the start of construction as especially significant for families and students.
“The loss of Hazel Trembath Elementary was deeply felt by students, families and the entire community, which is why it is so meaningful to see construction begin on its replacement,” Farnworth said.
New construction approach to speed delivery
The replacement is being delivered using a hybrid construction approach described in provincial materials as a first-in-B.C. method intended to accelerate delivery. The province and school district say the model will help bring the replacement school online more quickly than traditional approaches.
Context within wider school investments
The Hazel Trembath project is part of a wider slate of capital investment in the Coquitlam School District. Since 2017 the province has invested in 11 capital projects across the district. According to provincial releases, eight of those projects are complete while three remain underway, including the Hazel Trembath replacement.
- Completed: includes a new addition at École Dr. Charles Best Secondary.
- Underway: Hazel Trembath replacement, seismic replacement of Montgomery Middle, and Burke Mountain Secondary.
- Environment and design: the Dr. Charles Best addition was built to LEED Gold standards.
The new addition at École Dr. Charles Best Secondary, located in the Ranch Park neighbourhood, added 300 new seats across 12 classrooms. The province provided $18 million for that project.
| Project | Seats | Provincial funding | Status/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazel Trembath Elementary (replacement) | 240 | $39 million | Construction started; opening expected Dec 2027; hybrid construction approach |
| École Dr. Charles Best (addition) | 300 | $18 million | Two-storey addition; LEED Gold; complete |
| Burke Mountain Secondary | — | — | Underway; set to open in 2027 |
What this means for Coquitlam families and the district
For neighbourhood families, the replacement represents more than classroom space. The inclusion of a neighbourhood learning centre geared to future child care reflects ongoing efforts to align school capital projects with broader community needs, including early childhood care and local gathering space.
District and provincial officials have prioritised seismic upgrades and new capacity in recent years. The three projects still in progress — Hazel Trembath, the seismic replacement of Montgomery Middle and Burke Mountain Secondary — indicate the district remains in a phase of active renewal.
As construction proceeds, parents and community groups will be watching timelines closely. The hybrid construction approach — touted as a means to accelerate delivery — will be tested in the coming months as the project moves from ground‑breaking to full build.
For now, the start of work provides a visible sign that a neighbourhood school lost to fire is on track to return, offering new space for learning and potential child-care capacity for the coming decade.
