Terry Fox's alma mater is about to get torn down.
The high school where the Port Coquitlam hero completed his senior studies is slated to be razed next spring by School District 93.
That organization, which serves francophones in the Tri-Cities, Ridge Meadows, Burnaby and New Westminster, runs L'école des Pionniers de Maillardville in the old PoCo High on Wellington Street.
Pascale Cyr, spokesperson for the provincial governing body Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique, told The Tri-City News on Thursday the rebuild will cost $24.8 million, with funding from B.C.'s ministry of education.
And it will be rebuilt to a gold standard under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) model — the highest level for "green" architecture.
According to the city of Port Coquitlam, which is expected to review the variance applications tonight (Thursday) at committee, SD93 held a public information meeting last month and the bid garnered favourable comments from the neighbourhood.
Under the plan, the new school would accommodate 660 students — 100 of which would be in preschool and daycare and another 560 in the school program; however, there will be room for future expansion, the city report states.
As well, Patricia Avenue — of which the new school will front — will see significant infrastructure upgrades as a result of the school rebuild including a new water main, street lights, curb, gutter and sidewalk.
"It's going to be a good addition to the community and the school will service a lot of people from outside of Port Coquitlam," said Coun. Glenn Pollock, the city's smart growth committee chairperson.
Built in 1958, the former PoCo High currently doesn't meet earthquake standards. The site was transferred from SD43 to SD93 in 2000 and, since then, the city and school district have maintained an agreement to allow the public to use the school field in exchange for municipal upkeep.
Along with the school rebuild, SD93 will also supply two new public washrooms close to the field — much like at Terry Fox secondary on Riverwood Gate, Pollock said.
Terry Fox graduated from PoCo High in 1976. Other famous alumni include CFLers Chris Szarka and Bret Andersson, TV news anchor Lynn Colliar and Olympic wrestlers Dan Payne and Christopher Rinke.
PoCo High was later renamed Terry Fox secondary and the school moved in 1999.
