The Editor:
School District 43 (SD43) is working on a business case for three options related to Hazel Trembath Elementary in Port Coquitlam, and a project definition report is underway.
Knowing this process is underway, one has to ask if rebuilding Hazel Trembath school makes sense.
The school population is declining and it is already one of the lowest-attended schools in the area.
Given the makeup of the neighbourhood, high-density housing is unlikely and, as such, attendance will be likely to stabilize or continue to shrink.
There are four other elementary schools in this South PoCo neighbourhood: Castle Park, Mary Hill, Kilmer and Central.
Two of these schools are close to downtown Port Coquitlam — a part of town that is growing, where multi-unit housing is being built and where student populations can expect to grow.
It would seem to me that Central, Mary Hill and Kilmer schools, in particular, are better options to divert the money.
Existing families that attend Hazel Trembath can easily choose from one of four nearby schools, all within similar distance to their homes.
Money could be better spent increasing classroom size and services at these schools, which will ready them for growing populations.
Families currently registered at Hazel Trembath Elementary can choose which one meets their needs the best based on proximity, programs of choice and childcare needs.
While many great options could be considered, an excellent one is to turn the Hazel Trembath Elementary School site back into available green space for all residents to enjoy.
While it was most certainly sad news to loose a community school, the voices of a very few families should not sway a decision that is in their own best interests and not that of SD43, the Province of B.C., the Ministry of Education, the taxpayers of BC, the residents of Port Coquitlam and residents of the Mary Hill/Citadel community.
- Sonja Madsen Mills, Port Coquitlam
