A few years ago, Kamloops heard the first rumblings of a potential school in Batchelor Heights. With Westmount Elementary School bursting at the seams due to enrollment numbers beyond its capacity, the Chronicle has reached out to both School District 73 and the Chair of School District 73 Parent Advisory Council (PAC), Bonnie McBride, for an update.

When asked if this school is needed, Bonnie McBride was quick to comment, “Absolutely. We’re long overdue for it.”

“Right now, in situations like we have in Bachelor Heights, Westmount elementary is operating at 165 percent capacity. They’ve been able to manage by adding portables,” said McBride.

As for an update on the school plans, the District provided a statement with the following: “The District has received Crown Grant approval for the new elementary school in Batchelor Heights. This capital project is now in the Project Definition Report process with the Ministry of Education and Child Care. Once funding approval is received for a school, it is likely to take about three years for design and construction.

“The plan is for the new school in Batchelor Heights to be an elementary school (kindergarten to grade seven). School specifics and / or specialties would not be determined until closer to a new school’s opening.”

When asked if a new school would create budgetary issues for School District 73, the District responded with the following: “New schools are funded by the Ministry of Education and Child Care.”

McBride was quick to add that the new school would reduce costs, as many students are currently being bussed to other locations, because Westmount can’t meet the enrollment demand.

The District’s statement also touched briefly on potential traffic ramifications for Batchelor Heights residents: “The District has already had discussions with the City regarding impacts on traffic.”

When asked if the PAC believes there was proper consultation from School District 73, McBride replied with the following, “We’re working hard to hold the district to a high level of meaningful consultation.”

School District 73 will be posting updates on Batchelor Heights Elementary School progress on their website. For more information, check out www.sd73.bc.ca/en/our-district-board/batchelor-heights-advocacy-priority.aspx or Google School District 73 Bachelor Heights advocacy.