The demolition of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northeastern British Columbia commenced on Monday, following a tragic mass shooting that claimed the lives of five children and an education assistant on February 10, marking one of Canada’s deadliest incidents of its kind.
Over the past few weeks, crews have been relocating the school’s contents using covered trucks in preparation for its physical dismantling.
Superintendent Christy Fennell of School District 59 described the ongoing demolition process as a significant step in the systematic removal of the existing school, expected to span a few more weeks. Once the structure is cleared, restoration work to transform the site into grassy grounds will continue through the autumn.
To minimize disruptions, the demolition is being carried out in stages, with the waste being transported to regional landfills to preserve community privacy.
In a bid to expedite the replacement process, Premier David Eby announced plans in May to rebuild the school at a new undisclosed location, with $200 million in combined funding from federal and provincial governments allocated for the new school construction and enhancements to the local health center.
Tumbler Ridge, home to approximately 2,400 residents, accommodated around 160 students spanning grades 7 to 12 at the secondary school, which also housed a college campus.
Following the tragic incident, temporary portable classrooms were set up at the local elementary school, while additional modular campus facilities, including washrooms, offices, counseling spaces, and a communal area, are being prepared for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year.
The school district plans to engage students and residents in discussions concerning the conceptual designs for the new secondary school in the upcoming fall.
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