The sounds of children’s voices may once again be heard in the 100-year-old Ioco School in Port Moody.
Designed by a noted B.C. architected and opened in 1921 for the Imperial Oil company town, the stately building has been shuttered since 2005.
Now, School District 43 (SD43) is considering re-opening the old school to create a child care centre.
A public information session is being held July 6 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at École Moody Middle School of the Arts to discuss the possibility.
“The district is interested in speaking with local community members about the potential for a childcare facility and will provide mock ups and artists’ renderings of the possible renovations and play areas on the site, should the project move forward,” stated SD43 spokesperson Ken Hoff.
The historic school and site would receive modern upgrades and renovations within heritage guidelines before re-opening. However, the project is subject to provincial approval.
It would mean new life for Ioco School, which has long been a cornerstone of the Ioco Townsite.
Located at 101 First Ave., Ioco School was recognized as a historic place in 1999.
According to the , the Ioco School is a one-storey wood-frame building set on a full-height lower level, with a symmetrical plan.
There are four classrooms on the upper floor, originally for academics.
On the lower level, boys were taught “manual training” while girls were school in “domestic science.”
Designed by noted B.C. public works architect Henry Whittaker, the building has Arts and Crafts features as well as lath-and-plaster walls, wooden wainscoting, and wooden door and window trim.
“The Ioco School is valued as a reflection of the early development of Ioco, the company town developed by the Imperial Oil Company near its refinery on the north shore of Burrard Inlet. This was the first major development in Port Moody that occurred outside of the immediate vicinity of Moody Centre,” the Canadian Historic Places website states.
As a school, it was considered a focal point of the tightly-knit community, housing students from Ioco, Pleasantside, Sunnyside, Alderside and Anmore.
At peak enrolment in 1958, as many as 179 students attended Ioco School.
SD43 took over the school in 1946 and still owns the building and the land.
Following the public meeting, all the information shared at the public session will be posted and feedback will be collected until the end of July.
“Finding childcare continues to be challenging in the region and re-opening the Ioco School site may be a viable option for families once updates are complete,” Hoff further stated.
The district and Board of Education plan includes retaining ownership of the building and site, while partnering with an operator to run the childcare services.
In 2005, the building was closed when the last remaining program was relocated.
