The demolition of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northeast B.C. commenced this week following a tragic mass shooting incident earlier this year. In February, five students and an education assistant lost their lives in what became one of Canada’s most devastating mass shootings.
Over the past few weeks, crews have been meticulously removing the school’s contents using covered trucks in preparation for its physical dismantling. School District 59 superintendent Christy Fennell stated in a letter to residents that this marks a significant step in the phased removal of the existing school, a process expected to continue for several more weeks. Once the structure is taken down, efforts will focus on restoring the site with grass by the fall.
To minimize disruptions, the school district has planned the teardown in stages. Demolition waste will be transported to regional landfills to safeguard the community’s privacy.
In May, Premier David Eby announced intentions to expedite the construction of a new school at a yet-to-be-disclosed location. The federal and provincial governments have allocated $200 million for the new school and upgrades to the local health center. Tumbler Ridge, with a population of around 2,400, had approximately 160 students from grades 7 to 12 enrolled at the secondary school, which also housed a college campus.
Following the tragic event, temporary portable classrooms have been established on the elementary school grounds, with additional modular facilities, including washrooms, offices, counseling spaces, and a common area, set to be introduced for the upcoming school year. The school district plans to engage with students and residents to gather input on the conceptual designs for the new secondary school in the upcoming months.