The incumbent B.C. Liberal candidates in Kamloops are promising $85 million in capital funding for School District 73, if elected.

Speaking at site of the former Parkcrest Elementary school, Kamloops-South Thompson candidate Todd Stone says the money will be spent within four years.

“That is above and beyond a replacement for Parkcrest Elementary,” he said. “The $85-million will fund at the present time when one looks at the School District 73’s capital plan, the $85-million will fund the top three capital commitments.”

“What we want to do is say Pineview Valley will get its new school, Batchelor will get a new school, and the third priority will be determined obviously as is appropriate, will be determined by the school district in the coming months.”

Milobar, the Kamloops-North Thompson candidates says Kamloops area families have waited too long to see action from the NDP government on school infrastructure needs. He also criticized NDP Leader John Horgan for ‘slow-walking’ the rebuild of the school which burnt down on Sept. 5, 2019.

“He reaffirmed actually what Minister Fleming had said which was that for a burnt down school to be replaced it would need to be reworked into the school district’s capital plan, it would need to go through treasury board for approval and that it would then be considered against all the other capital requirements for not just this school district, but school’s across the province,” Milobar said.

“The first anniversary of the Parkcrest Elementary School fire passed back in September and is just another example of the many stresses facing SD73 and the young families in our region who rely on the public school system.”

SD73 Not Endorsing Any Candidates

The Board Chair for the Kamloops-Thompson School District says they are not endorsing any candidate for the upcoming election.

Rhonda Kershaw says they will be working with whoever is elected as the MLA, as well as the future Education Minister

“We are certainly looking to whoever is elected to work with us in both our budget shortfalls an in our capital needs,” she said on NL Newsday. “And so as soon as there is a new minister in place, we will certainly be talking to them.”

Among SD73’s top priorities are new schools in Pineview Valley and Sun Peaks, as well as expansions to Westmount elementary, Brock Middle school and Sa-Hali secondary.

– With files from Colton Davies