New Moody Elementary School officially opens in Port Moody

A new and expanded Moody Elementary school officially opened Friday, bringing hundreds of new student spaces and integrated child care to the heart of Port Moody.

The two-storey facility, located alongside Moody Middle School, adds 115 new student seats and replaces older infrastructure with 270 seismically safer spaces, for a total capacity of 385 students.

The project represents a $32-million provincial investment, part of a broader push to address enrolment pressures across the Tri-Cities.

Speaking at the April 24 opening ceremony, Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Rick Glumac framed the project as more than just a new building.

“The doors have already been opened, but what is opening is the doors to opportunity, the doors of possibility, doors to connection and the doors to a bright future for the children who will learn and grow here,” Glumac said.

The added capacity comes as Port Moody faces continued population growth as result of development pressures and project population growth.

Glumac emphasized that the investment is part of nearly half a billion dollars spent in the Tri-Cities since 2017 on new and upgraded school spaces.

“Investments like this are about keeping up with the growing community and shaping what kind of community we want to be,” he said.

A student choir group opened the event by song, singing to a group of teachers, parents, members of the Coquitlam School Board, several Port Moody councillors, and a number of provincial staff and officials.

Following several speeches, attendees were invited to tour the new facilities.

The school is designed as a multi-use hub, incorporating a neighbourhood learning centre with space for up to 60 child care spots, including for infants, toddlers and school-aged children.

That integrated approach reflects what provincial officials described as a shift in how schools are built – combining education, care and community services in a single location.

“By bringing education, child care, and community together in one space, this school reflects the strong sense of connection that defines Port Moody,” said Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare.

The project also includes expanded recreation amenities, such as a larger gymnasium, new playground and outdoor courts, as well as modern classroom design features like adjustable lighting and flexible learning spaces.

Michael Thomas, chair of the Coquitlam Board of Education, said the new building marks a significant step forward for both safety and learning outcomes.

He said the new Moody Elementary meets top safety standards while being carefully designed to support learning, with features like adjustable lighting, plenty of natural light, subdued colours and flexible classroom spaces.

Thomas noted the original Moody Elementary opened nearly 70 years ago, underscoring the generational shift represented by the new facility.

“I’m very excited to witness the beginning of a new legacy at the new location here for Moody Elementary school,” he said.

Thomas also added that while the new school expands capacity, the district is already anticipating further growth in the area, with plans for another future elementary school at the original Moody Elementary site still several years away.

The new location, directly adjacent to Moody Middle School, is also intended to streamline daily routines for families, allowing for easier transitions between elementary and middle school and reducing the logistical challenges of multiple drop-offs.

Provincial officials say the project is part of a wider investment strategy. Since 2017, more than $454 million has been approved for school projects in the Coquitlam School District, creating more than 2,600 new seats and 1,375 seismically safer spaces, according to the province.

Across British Columbia, that total rises to more than $7 billion in school capital funding, aimed at addressing enrolment growth and replacing aging infrastructure.

Glumac thanked the teaching staff for their dedication towards the student education.

“A building is just a building with walls and windows, without the care and creativity and dedication that you bring to it every day,” he said. “To the students who walk through these doors, this is your space.”