SCHOOLS – Pineview Valley to get new $65.3-million elementary school in 2026

Students in Kamloops will get a new school in the fast-growing Pineview Valley neighbourhood.

Government has provided $65.3 million for a new 485-seat elementary school. The new school will serve students from kindergarten to Grade 7 and includes a learning centre, which will be used for programs and services, including child care, which benefit the broader community.

“Our government understands the importance of supporting families, and we know that Kamloops is a fast-growing city,” Rachna Singh, Minister of Education and Child Care, said today (Feb. 22, 2023) in announcing the build.

“I’m proud that we are providing funding for a new elementary school with a neighbourhood learning centre that will benefit students and families in the Pineview Valley area for years to come.”

Mass timber will be used in the new school’s design, where appropriate. It will also include greenhouse gas reduction measures that will set the building’s emissions at least 50% lower than the current LEED Gold Standards.

In addition, the school will be built with a climate-resilient building design that will better equip the school to stay cool during extreme heat. Construction on the school is anticipated to start in spring 2024 and open in summer 2026.

“Our board of education is extremely pleased to receive this much-needed new school announcement, and we look forward to continuing to work with the ministry on our other capital priorities,” said Heather Grieve, board chair of School District 73.

A $1.75-million, 525-seat addition at Valleyview Secondary opened last year. Parkcrest Elementary school is set to open in 2024 and received $34.8 million from the government with an additional $300,000 from the school district and $2.1 million from the City of Kamloops.