Demolition of Tumbler Ridge Secondary Begins as Province Plans New School
Work to strip the exterior of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School started Monday, while officials prepare to design a replacement after the February mass shooting that killed six people.
In northeastern British Columbia, demolition crews started dismantling the exterior of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Monday, marking the first tangible step toward replacing the campus where five children and an education assistant were killed on Feb. 10. Superintendent Christy Fennell of School District 59 said the staged removal will continue for a few weeks, after which the grounds will be restored to grass and demolition debris will be taken to regional landfills to safeguard privacy.
Premier David Eby announced a commitment to construct a new secondary school as quickly as possible, though the new site has not yet been disclosed. Federal and provincial governments have allocated $200 million for the new building and for upgrades to the community health centre. In the interim, portable classrooms have been set up at the local elementary school, and additional modular units for washrooms, offices and counseling are slated for the 2026-27 school year. The district plans to hold design-concept consultations with students and residents this fall.
Why it matters
The demolition and rebuilding effort addresses community trauma from a deadly school shooting and secures significant government funding for education and health services.
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