Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

NEW SCHOOL

Final business case for new elementary school in Batchelor Heights sent to province

Apr 9, 2025 | 4:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — Plans to build a new elementary school in Kamloops are taking another key step. One of the highest priority areas for a new school is Batchelor Heights, and Westsyde, as nearby Westmount Elementary has been operating well over 100 per cent capacity for several years now.

The plan for a new school in Batchelor Heights was supported by the province back in 2022, and now the District has sent a final business case for the build to the Ministry of Education.

No major capital projects in the Kamloops-Thompson School District’s area were approved to move forward this year. However, board chair Heather Grieve says a final business case for a new school in Batchelor Heights has been given to the province.

“‘Send us the final business case’, came in a response from the Minister (of Education), and that has been submitted and it is now with the Ministry of Education and Child Care,” she explains.

Question of the Week

Is the price of groceries motivating you to grow your own vegetables this year?

28m ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Red Dress Day

3h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: May 5, 2025

4h ago

Planning for a new school in Batchelor Heights dates back to at least 2021. But Grieve points out that it took time for a Crown grant application to get approved to secure the rest of the land for the future school.

The current plan is for a 270-seat facility, with an estimated price tag of $60 million.

“I would hope that we will hear sooner rather than later whether or not the Ministry is going to support that build,” says Grieve, “You know, looking at a cost of $60 million approximately for the build of that school, and we would hope to see a capital announcement.”

Another few hundred seats would ease pressure at nearby Westmount Elementary, which has spent years running between 120 and 181 per cent capacity.

“I think it was back in 2021 that we really started advocating for the school there. At that time we were seeing a capacity utilization at Westmount Elementary at 181 per cent. There were a number of kids in portables, a third of the gymnasium was being used at storage, the library was a classroom, the list kind of went on and on.”

Catchment changes made some difference to the dispersal of the neighbourhood’s ballooning student body. But at this point, a new school is the only other option.

“So when we submit a business case and forecasting, the Ministry will look at all of those things and then they will determine whether they go forward and support the transfer of dollars and begin the build for Batchelor Heights Elementary. And while all of that is happening we’re continuing to look at our southwest sector (of the city) as well in terms of need within the community,” adds Grieve.

The business case is now in the Ministry’s hands. And Grieve says in the meantime, the board will keep up with its advocacy for alleviating population pressure.