PARKCREST FIRE – TREC Bridges will move to John Tod Centre instead

The TREC Bridges program will be temporarily moving to the John Tod Centre at the Boys and Girls Club instead of to NorKam Senior Secondary.

School superintendent Alison Sidow announced the change of plans today (Sept. 12, 2019) It came after an agreement was reached between the school district, the City of Kamloops and the Boys and Girls Club.

“We are grateful to both the City of Kamloops and to the Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops for their generous assistance in making this arrangement possible,” said Sidow.

The change was made in response to concerns expressed by parents and guardians of some TREC students over the relocation of the TREC Program to NorKam Senior Secondary.

Bridges Program staff will host an open house for parents and guardians on Monday, Sept. 16 from 1 to 2 p.m., and regular classes will begin for students on Tuesday, Sept. 17, starting at 8:30 a.m.

The TREC program is being relocated to make way for Parkcrest Elementary students and staff to relocate to George Hilliard Elementary, the TREC program’s regular home, after the loss of their school to fire Sept. 5.

TREC Principal Cory Carmichael said TREC staff are very appreciative of the partnership. He said the transition to a traditional school can be “very challenging and difficult,” and the Bridges program supports that transition.

Sidow said she believes the new arrangement will alleviate the concerns that many parents and students have raised about going to a large high school.

District staff are also exploring the potential of relocating the TREC Program, including students in the Bridges Program, to the Happyvale site within the next few months.

“Ultimately, the intention is that once Parkcrest Elementary is built, TREC will return to 985 Holt,” said Sidow.