Tumbler Ridge Secondary School to be torn down, rebuilt in wake of mass shooting

The scene of a deadly mass shooting in a British Columbia community is going to be torn down in favour of a new secondary school.

B.C. Premier David Eby said survivors, families, the Peace River South School Board and community members overwhelmingly support starting fresh with a new campus.

Students will continue to learn in portables before being moved into larger modular classrooms later this month.

Ebay said the federal government will help pay for the rebuild, which he called a priority project for the province.

“The people of Tumbler Ridge have endured unimaginable trauma and grief,” said Eby in a statement. “We will continue to be there to ensure that they have the supports they need.”

“Building a new school is an important step in providing students and staff a healing and supportive place to learn and work, and is the result of Tumbler Ridge families, B.C. and Canada standing together for the future of this vital community,” said Eby.

Construction activity will begin as early as this summer, beginning with the removal of the existing structure.

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