Crews have initiated the demolition process of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northeastern British Columbia following a tragic mass shooting incident earlier this year. The school, where five children and an education assistant lost their lives in one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings on February 10, has been cleared out over the past few weeks in preparation for its demolition.

According to School District 59 superintendent Christy Fennell, the dismantling of the school is a significant step in the planned deconstruction, which is anticipated to continue for several more weeks. Once the structure is completely removed, efforts will focus on restoring the site to its original state with grass.

To minimize disruptions, the demolition will be carried out in stages, and all demolition waste will be transported to regional landfills to ensure community privacy is maintained. Plans to replace the school have been announced by Premier David Eby, with both federal and provincial governments committing $200 million for the construction of the new school and upgrades to the local health center.

Tumbler Ridge, a community of approximately 2,400 residents, housed around 160 students from grades 7 to 12 at the secondary school, which also accommodated a college campus. In the aftermath of the tragic event, temporary portable classrooms have been set up at the nearby elementary school, with additional modular facilities such as washrooms, offices, counseling spaces, and communal areas being arranged for the upcoming school year.

The school district will engage with students and residents in the fall to gather input on the conceptual designs for the new secondary school. The location of the new school is yet to be disclosed, as efforts to rebuild and revitalize the community continue in the wake of the devastating incident.