Students at Hazel Trembath Elementary will get a free day of fun at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC) tomorrow, Oct. 18, thanks to the city and the Terry Fox Library.
The 215 students, as well as the teachers and staff of the Confederation Drive school that burned down last Saturday, Oct. 14, can get some activity in and reconnect with each other by dropping in for free swimming, skating and gym sports at the recreation complex (2150 Wilson Ave.).
"It's been a very challenging time for the Hazel Trembath community," said Mayor Brad West, whose son attends Grade 1 at the school, in a news release.
"I know how hard it has been for the kids to be away from their classmates, teachers and school staff while they process everything that has happened. We wanted to find a way to bring the Hazel community together to connect, have some fun and provide space for everyone to see each other in a positive environment.
"I'm very proud that our city is stepping up to make this happen," added West, a Hazel Trembath Elementary alumnus.
Port Coquitlam fire crews — many of them who doused the flames in the early-morning hours on Oct. 14 — will also roll into PCCC with a fire truck from 1 to 3 p.m. to talk fire prevention and safety with the families.
Here are the activity times for Hazel Trembath Day at PCCC and Terry Fox Library:
- Drop-in Gym
- Session 1
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Gymnasium (East) – Basketball
- Gymnasium (West) – Open Gym/Games
- Session 2
- 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
- Gymnasium (East) – Soccer
- Gymnasium (West) – Open Gym/Games
- Session 3
- 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
- Gymnasium (East) – Basketball
- Gymnasium (West) – Open Gym/Games
- Session 4
- 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Gymnasium (East) – Soccer
- Gymnasium (West) – Open Gym/Games
- Session 1
- Drop-in Skate
- Children under the age of eight years old must be accompanied by a guardian of at least 16 years old.
- 10:15 to 11:45 a.m.
- Noon to 1 p.m
- 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.
- Arena 2
- Children under the age of eight years old must be accompanied by a guardian of at least 16 years old.
- Drop-in Swim
- Children under the age of seven years old must be accompanied by a guardian of at least 16 years old.
- 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Children under the age of seven years old must be accompanied by a guardian of at least 16 years old.
- Terry Fox Library
- 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Lego - Program Room (main level)
- Build it Club with LEGO, Keva Planks and Magformers
- Puzzle Cubes and Colouring
- (Puzzle cubes are this https://www.fvrl.bc.ca/puzzlecubes.php)
- Ozobots: This robot fits in the palm of your hand and can be programmed by drawing with coloured markers.
- Scavenger Hunt
- 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Day Camp for Hazel Trembath students (pre-registration required)
Meanwhile, students will be bussed to Winslow Centre in Coquitlam while the fire investigation is underway and School District 43 (SD43) makes plans to rebuild on the Hazel Trembath grounds.
In the spring of 2022, Winslow Centre was used as a temporary learning centre after fire damaged the Coquitlam Alternative Balanced Education (CABE) school; the students, teachers and staff returned in the spring of 2023 when the repairs were complete.
SD43 spokesperson Ken Hoff told the Tri-City News this morning, Oct. 17, that the district hopes to have Winslow Centre ready for the Hazel cohort "as soon as possible."
"The district is in direct communication with Trembath families by email and updates are being provided, as needed," he said.
Anyone with information on the suspected arson at Hazel Trembath Elementary on Oct. 14, 2023, is asked to contact the Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and quote file number 2023-27725.
