Christian Academy gets three more years in Coquitlam

For one private school, it’s Christmas until 2027.

The B.C. Christian Academy can stay on at 3000 Christmas Way for three more years, following a unanimous vote from Coquitlam council on July 15.

The school applied to set up shop in Coquitlam in 2018 after their Port Coquitlam campus hit capacity.

The academy currently operates on the second floor of a commercial building overtop a spa. While a school isn’t technically permitted in Coquitlam’s commercial zone, the city approved a Temporary Use Permit in July 2018 and a second TUP in 2021.

While council discussion was brief, Coun. Dennis Marsden voiced concern about the school applying for a: “never-ending series of TUPs.”

The academy is planning to build a bigger, permanent campus on Fernwood Avenue in Port Coquitlam but have run into some permitting delays, according to a city staff report.

The area around the temporary school is earmarked for major development. In 2022, council unanimously approved a project that would put nine towers – including a hotel – and 4,000 units of housing on the old Chrysler dealership over the next 10 years.

The project, which requires one more vote from council, is situated over seven lots at Pheasant Street, Christmas Way and Lougheed Highway – about 300 metres from the school.

Council unanimously voted to grant the temporary use permit.