Kamloops elementary school to receive $10,000 grant to help rebuild library

The Indigo Love of Reading Foundation has announced Parkcrest Elementary School will be receiving a special $10,000 grant.

A fire destroyed the North Kamloops elementary school on Sept. 5.

In a news release, the Love Of Reading Foundation says it was contacted by community members after the fire. Many school supplies including books were lost in the blaze, the release says.

“While this falls outside of the foundation’s typical granting programs, the foundation was moved by the story and will be supporting the school’s library rebuild through a transformative grant,” Rose Lipton, executive director of Indigo Love of Reading Foundation, says in an emailed statement.

Students and staff were temporarily relocated to George Hilliard Elementary school as a result.

“However, catalyzed by this grant, the school will be finalizing a library space at George Hilliard and officially opening it to the their school community on December 3,” Lipton says.

The timeline for when Parkcrest will have their own space again is still to be determined but the books will form the basis of their new library for when they get their permanent home. Back in September, school officials estimated it could take up to two years to rebuild a new school and cost approximately $18 to $20 million.

Chapters and Coles employees in Kamloops will be volunteering their time by helping the school curate their collection.

For past stories on the Parkcrest Elementary school fire go here.

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