The dismantling of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northeast British Columbia commenced on Monday, following a tragic mass shooting incident earlier this year.
In February, the school was the scene of one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings, resulting in the loss of five children and one education assistant.
Over the past few weeks, crews have been relocating the school’s contents using covered trucks in preparation for its physical demolition.
Christy Fennell, the superintendent of School District 59, stated in a letter to residents that the ongoing removal of the school structure signifies a significant step in the planned deconstruction process, which is expected to span several more weeks.
Following the complete removal of the building, efforts will shift towards restoring the site to its natural state with grass replanting scheduled for the fall.
The school district has outlined that the demolition process will be carried out in phases to minimize disruptions to the surrounding area.
All demolition waste will be transported to regional landfills to maintain privacy and prevent any lingering debris within the community.
In a recent announcement, Premier David Eby expressed a commitment to swiftly replace the school at a new undisclosed location.
Both federal and provincial governments have allocated $200 million towards the construction of the new school and enhancements to the community’s health facilities.
Tumbler Ridge, with a population of approximately 2,400 residents, saw around 160 students enrolled across grades 7 to 12 at the secondary school, which also included a college campus.