School on fire
Getting a district back on track
The demolition of Parkcrest Elementary School.
On the second day of the 2019-2020 school year, Park-
district recovers from this fire as quickly as possible.”
crest Elementary School in Kamloops was destroyed by
Decisions were required immediately to allow the
fire. The fire started just after 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept.
work to begin. By Sunday, Sept. 9 a plan was put to-
5, and by 9 p.m. the district superintendent of schools
gether and crews were in motion.
was informing parents and staff that the school would
Step 1: Relocate the entire Twin Rivers Education
be closed until further notice. More than 360 students
Program of 175 secondary students and staff from the
and 40 teachers and staff were left without a facility.
George Hilliard site to three different locations on the
On Sept. 16, when the entire school was welcomed
North Shore area of the community. This included con-
into the George Hilliard site, only six school days later,
struction of a school-within-a-school at NorKam Senior
the School District #73 administration, education staff,
Secondary to accommodate some of those students.
and maintenance and building crews literally moved mountains to make it happen.
Step 2: Move Parkcrest students and staff into the George Hilliard site.
“The seemingly easy transition and resumption of
Step 3: Move current occupants, the Big Little Sci-
normal routines for all the students and staff impacted
ence Centre and a daycare operation, out of the Hap-
by the fire would not have been possible without in-
pyvale site building.
credibly strong district and administrative leadership,
Step 4: Complete renovations at the Happyvale site
along with the concentrated effort of many throughout
in order to reunite TREC students at that site within the
the district and our community,” said Kelvin Stretch,
next four to five months, including the installation of six
secretary treasurer. “In particular, the immediate and
portables. Renovations at the Happyvale site are un-
ongoing efforts of our maintenance and building crews
derway and are expected to be completed by Christ-
are to be commended. They are continuing to work
mas.
long hours to meet difficult deadlines to make sure our 22
Ops Talk • Fall 2019
Other considerations included a playground, pur-
