Port Coquitlam parents and children heartened by community response after school fire
Hazel Trembath Elementary School was torched in a fire that police have deemed suspicious
Three days after a Port Coquitlam, B.C. elementary school was burned to the ground in a suspicious fire, parents and kids say they're still recovering emotionally, but have been encouraged by an outpouring of community support.
Hazel Trembath Elementary School, located in the city of around 60,000 residents east of Vancouver, was razed in a suspicious fire on Saturday morning.
Community members have come together to support the more than 300 families with children who went to the school, which was first built in the 1970s.
Teachers are getting ready to resume classes in the neighbouring city of Coquitlam. Winslow Centre, a school district facility there, will house all of the students in the short term.
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West, whose son was in Grade 1 at Hazel Trembath, is himself an alumnus of the school. He says it's been challenging to discuss the idea of arson at his son's beloved school — but that his city has come together in the aftermath.
"The community is rallying. I'm not surprised by that. That is the way things are in Port Coquitlam," he told Amy Bell, guest host of CBC's On The Coast. "Every time we've ever been touched by tragedy, people have come together and want to support one another."
The Coquitlam School District has already set up an online fundraiser that aims to help families whose children attend the school.
In addition, the City of Port Coquitlam has opened up the Port Coquitlam Community Centre to accept school supplies and other donations.
West said the overwhelming support reflects how important the school was to the community.
"Schools like this are way more than just buildings. They really are hubs of connection and of community in every sense of the word," he said.
Landon Comey, a nine-year-old who attended Grade 4 at the school, said he and his classmates were initially worried they would be split apart.
He said he will miss the dance classes, the gym, and running around the duck pond at Hazel Trembath.
Mayor says school rebuild a priority
Students like Comey are set to be bussed to the Winslow Centre, a former high school, later this week to resume their studies.
The teachers are already at the Coquitlam facility — 20 minutes away from Hazel Trembath — preparing for the kids' return, said Michael Thomas, an elected trustee from School District 43 in Port Coquitlam.
Andrea Rodriguez, whose daughter is in Grade 2 said she appreciates their efforts.
"The teachers are really doing what they can to give the kids normalcy and for that we are very grateful," she said.
Shawna Comey, who has two children that attended Hazel Trembath, said she's worried about the long-term future of the schoolchildren.
"My kids have been having a lot of questions that I don't have answers to," she said. "My worry is that the school will be split up once we move back to Park Coquitlam."
West promised to "move heaven and Earth" to make the rebuild happen, including by waiving fees and prioritizing any permitting that needs to happen. The province has said they would work with district officials to support kids and families.
"It sounds promising in terms of government support to rebuild and to rebuild as expeditiously as possible," West said.
Mounties said anyone with video of the fire at Hazel Trembath, or who noticed anything suspicious between 9 p.m. on Friday and 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, should contact investigators on 604-945-1550.
With files from Michelle Ghoussoub, The Early Edition and On the Coast