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Coquitlam students whose new building isn't finished yet will be bused to another school

As a temporary measure, Coast Salish Elementary students will be transported to Irvine Elementary in Port Coquitlam, which has enough room for both schools.
Coast Salish School Construction Coquitlam
Coast Salish Elementary School, located at 3538 Sheffield Ave., in Coquitlam is still under construction.

Heading back to school is on the minds of many students and their families.

But those planning to attend the new Coast Salish Elementary (3538 Sheffield Ave.) in the Burke Mountain neighbourhood of Coquitlam will have to wait a little longer to attend classes in their new building.

Construction delays driven by supply chain issues has postponed the school's September opening.

However, School District 43 (SD43) has a plan in place to ensure kindergarten to Grade 5 students begin school on Sept. 6. — arguably the most important date on the SD43 calendar.

While they wait for their new school opening, students will be bused from the Coast Salish site to the brand, new Irvine Elementary School in Port Coquitlam, which has enough room for all the students and teachers, according to the district.

"The contractor has had a few significant issues relating to subtrades not being able to complete portions of the building.  Many of the issues have related to supply chain issues," confirmed SD43 spokesperson Ken Hoff.

Hoff added that the contractor is pushing to receive partial occupancy as soon as possible.  

"The school district will continue to provide regular updates to the Coast Salish community as they become available," he said. 

"In the meantime parents have been informed that we will run the new Coast Salish Elementary out of the new Irvine Elementary. There is enough space in the new Irvine Elementary school to accommodate both schools in the one building on a temporary basis."