Witnessing the demolition of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School this week held a mix of emotions for Chris Norbury, a longstanding resident with a personal connection to the school. His wife was present at the school during the tragic mass shooting in February. Norbury, along with a crowd of community members, gathered to observe the commencement of the demolition on Monday.
Reflecting on the event, Norbury emphasized the importance of prioritizing the needs and feelings of those directly impacted by the tragedy over his own. He expressed hope that the demolition marks the beginning of a new chapter for Tumbler Ridge and its students.
The school, characterized by its brown-bricked structure, was initially built in the 1980s during the establishment of Tumbler Ridge for coal mining purposes.
Norbury recalled the school’s rich history of serving multiple generations of students and creating cherished memories over the span of 40 years. However, after the traumatic events of February 10, both students and teachers expressed a collective desire to not return to the building but instead see it demolished.
Highlighting the importance of closure and new beginnings in the healing process, Norbury emphasized the significance of completing old chapters to pave the way for fresh starts.
Expansion of Temporary Campus
With students set to return to a temporary campus this fall, preparations for a new school are underway.
Recent developments include the construction of a communal space featuring washrooms and a lunchroom, in addition to the existing modular classrooms, administrative offices, and counselling services at the local elementary school premises.
Chad Anderson, the board
