Reconstruction approved for Hazel Trembath Elementary after 2023 fire

The British Columbia government has approved plans to rebuild Hazel Trembath Elementary School in Port Coquitlam, nearly two years after a fire destroyed the original building.

Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma announced Friday that a new, 240-seat school will be constructed on the same site where the blaze occurred in October 2023. The province says the $39-million project will be developed through an accelerated model designed to shorten construction timelines, marking what officials describe as a first-of-its-kind approach in B.C.

Ma said the school’s loss was deeply felt across the community and credited the Coquitlam School District for collaborating on a faster rebuild plan. “We know that the loss of Hazel Trembath Elementary has deeply impacted parents, students, teachers and staff,” Ma said in a statement. “I’m grateful to the district for working with us on an innovative plan that will deliver the new school faster for families.”

Construction is expected to begin in July 2026, with completion targeted for December 2027. The facility will include two kindergarten classrooms, eight elementary classrooms, and a gymnasium. Prefabricated construction will be used for most areas to speed up the process, while the gym will be built using traditional methods. A neighbourhood learning centre is also planned to accommodate future child care spaces.

The original Hazel Trembath Elementary was destroyed in a suspicious fire on October 14, 2023. The blaze forced students and staff to relocate to temporary facilities.