A little old schoolhouse dating back more than 100 years is boarded up and sad-looking after being shuttered for 18 years.
But renderings of a proposed upgrade to Ioco School show that with paint, a new roof and covered play areas the dusty building and gymnasium could be brought back to life.
However, before any kind of work can begin, School District 43 (SD43) needs three things: funding from B.C.’s New Spaces child care grant, community interest and a child care operator willing to lease the space.
Fill out a child care needs survey
If all those things come together, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra could have a vibrant childcare centre close to home.
Last week, SD43 held an open house to answer questions about the project and has released renderings of an exterior renovation.
The Coquitlam-area district is currently hosting a survey on its website to gauge interest and asking the public what sort of services are in the most demand, according to SD43 spokesperson Ken Hoff.
The survey will stay open until the end of the month.
While the project would take some time to complete, grant money could bring it to fruition.
“The project is still in the very early stages and completion would be quite far out. That said, if awarded the New Spaces Grant, work on the project would begin as soon as possible,” Hoff told the Tri-City News.
Located at 101 First Ave., Ioco School was recognized as a historic place in 1999.
The total building area is approximately 12,000 sq. ft.
Looking for a child care operator
There is also a semi-detached gymnasium built in the late 1950s.
As the school is heritage protected, conversion into a childcare centre would require modern upgrades and renovations within the heritage guidelines.
Hoff said the school district is interested in bringing on a childcare provider to help with the design of the interior as well as the outdoor play spaces. Once construction is complete, they would then operate the facility under a lease agreement with the school district.
The school was constructed in 1921 for the children of Imperial Oil Company employees who lived in the area.
