Young, bright minds are being invited to unleash their creativity this month for a unique project that will remain sealed for 25 years.
As the new Glenmerry Elementary School nears completion, the Kootenay Columbia Educational Heritage Society (Society) has teamed up with staff and students to create a time capsule.
Beginning in January, students from three classes — Grade 2, Grade 2/3, and Grade 4 — will contribute to this special project.
The children will collect information and materials of their choice to be placed in the capsule, which has been provided by the Society.
Set to be opened in 2050, the project has generated excitement among participants.
The initiative aims to spark student interest in preserving their heritage, as well as the history of their school and community.
A new chapter
The province is investing up to $39.1 million to replace and upgrade Glenmerry Elementary School.
The new facility will expand capacity by adding 165 seats, increasing the total from 270 to 435, to meet growing enrolment demands.
Students have remained in the existing school and portables throughout the construction process, with the new building slated to open later this year.
Built in 1959, the original Glenmerry Elementary was designed for children living in Glenmerry.
However, following the closures of elementary schools in Sunningdale (1997) and East Trail (Laura J. Morrish, 1999), Glenmerry became the only Kindergarten-to-Grade-7 public school in Trail.
When Central School closed in 2000, those students were transferred to the elementary school in Warfield.
Over the years, six portables have been added to Glenmerry to accommodate the growing student population, which reached 370 by 2018.
Despite renovations, the aging building faced ongoing maintenance issues typical of a structure in use for 64 years.
Concerns over traffic congestion, limited space, and drop-off safety further underscored the need for a replacement.
In March 2018, the Glenmerry Parent Advisory Council joined forces with advocates such as Trail city council, school board trustees and district administration, to call for a new school.
Their efforts paid off three years later, in March 2021, when the provincial government announced the new build.
The new Glenmerry Elementary School marks a fresh start, providing a safe and modern environment for future generations.
Educational society
Founded in 2005, the Kootenay Columbia Educational Heritage Society is dedicated to preserving the educational history of School District No. 20 (Kootenay Columbia).
Its archives, located at JL Crowe Secondary School, include class photographs, classroom furniture, teaching tools, and historical documents related to education in the district.
The Society also conducts interviews with retired teachers to document their memories of school life and is digitizing high school yearbooks for online access.
For more information, visit the Society’s website at schooldistrict20history.org or contact Mac Gregory at macgregory@telus.net.
