Dismantling of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northeastern British Columbia commenced on Monday following a tragic mass shooting incident earlier this year.
The school was the site of a deadly shooting on February 10, claiming the lives of five students and one staff member, marking it as one of the most devastating mass shootings in Canada.
Over the past few weeks, efforts have been underway to clear out the school’s contents utilizing covered trucks in preparation for its physical demolition.
In a letter addressed to residents, Christy Fennell, the superintendent of School District 59, described the ongoing process as a significant step in the phased dismantling of the school, which is anticipated to continue for a few more weeks.
Following the complete removal of the structure, restoration work will progress through the autumn season to convert the site back to green grass.
The school district has outlined that the demolition process will be conducted in phases to minimize disruptions. Waste generated from the demolition will be appropriately disposed of in regional landfills to safeguard the community’s privacy.
In a recent announcement, Premier David Eby revealed the intention to expedite the construction of a new school facility at an undisclosed location to replace the demolished school.
An allocation of $200 million from federal and provincial governments has been pledged for the construction of the new school and enhancements to the community’s health center.
Tumbler Ridge, with a population of approximately 2,400 residents, had around 160 students enrolled in grades 7 to 12 at the secondary school, which also housed a college campus.
