Demolition work started on Monday to dismantle Tumbler Ridge Secondary School located in northeastern British Columbia following a tragic mass shooting incident earlier this year.
The school was the site of a deadly shooting on February 10, where five students and one education assistant lost their lives, marking one of Canada’s most devastating mass shootings.
In preparation for the demolition, crews have been clearing out the school’s contents using covered trucks over the past few weeks.
“This marks a significant step in the methodical process of removing the existing school, which is expected to continue for a few more weeks,” noted Christy Fennell, the superintendent of School District 59, in a letter to the community.
Following the demolition, efforts will proceed throughout the autumn to restore the site to its natural state with grass.
To minimize disruption, the demolition will be carried out in phases, and all waste will be disposed of in regional landfills to safeguard the community’s privacy.
In a recent announcement, Premier David Eby disclosed plans to expedite the construction of a new school at an undisclosed location to replace the one being demolished.
The federal and provincial governments have jointly allocated $200 million for the construction of the new school and the enhancement of the community’s health center.
Tumbler Ridge, with a population of approximately 2,400 residents, had around 160 students from grades 7 to 12 enrolled at the secondary school, which also included a college campus.