(Image Credit: Kent Simmonds/CFJC Today)

By Victor Kaisar

Westmount Fire

Remediation work at fire-damaged Westmount Elementary set to begin

Jan 10, 2026 | 12:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — Remediation work at Westmount Elementary is expected to get underway in short order as kids are back in class after winter break.

Westmount students and staff will remain in their temporary locations for the foreseeable future, as Superintendent Mike McKay says SD73 will work to ensure the school can be reopened as soon as possible following the suspicious fire in October which disturbed materials that contained asbestos.

“The good news is all of the mitigation around the contamination in the air and so on will be fully taken care of, if it hasn’t already been, in the next short while,” McKay said in December. “The crews can get in and do what they need to do to repair and restore the building.”

McKay said he’s heard “heartwarming stores” of how the community came together to help the roughly 250 Westmount students who were divided by age. Five classes were sent to Kay Bingham Elementary while three classes each went to Parkcrest Elementary and George Hilliard Elementary.

“The staff at the three hosting schools reached out and the kids feel like part of those communities now,” McKay added, noting people went “the extra mile” to ensure that Westmount Christmas celebrations went ahead at the new locations. “We want to maintain that.”

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“None of this happens without a lot of goodwill and cooperation and people pulling in the same direction making sure the kids have the best possible education in the circumstances. None of this goes as well as it going without people recognizing that everyone is doing the best that they can.”

McKay also said SD73 is grateful for the efforts of the Westmount PAC and its chair Jelena Hansen, calling them “great resources” as they have provided “critical information and suggestions” in the two months since the fire.

“They’ve been real partners in this and I think that speaks to the value of having a PAC and the school and the school district communicating effectively, in a common direction,” McKay said. “We’re grateful for all of the efforts. It makes a difference to the kids and to the staff.”

McKay declined to say when remediation work is expected to wrap up, though he noted SD73 officials are looking forward to the reopening of Westmount Elementary School when it comes.

“We’re not in a position right now to say, ‘Here’s the date,’ and I’ve learned that overpromising is not a good thing,” McKay said. “We would rather say, ‘As quickly as possible.’ We know the process is underway and we’re looking forward to the return.”