Tumbler Ridge Secondary School to be demolished, community leaders react

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Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer says “it’s going to bring sort of a breath of fresh air into the community,” adding he thinks the announcement of the plan is a god thing, given the community supports it. However, he also called Eby’s announcement “premature” and wanted to acknowledge those who didn’t agree with tearing the school down.

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“I’ve talked to a lot of people. Some are still nostalgic about the old building and a lot of good memories in the place, and wanted to perhaps save parts of it that weren’t affected by the tragedy,” Zimmer said.

This decision comes just three months after the tragic mass shooting that killed eight people in February, and Anderson and Neufeld both say they appreciate the speed this new school project is moving.

“The community needs a process to move forward. I don’t know that I would necessarily want to use the word ‘heal’ — perhaps that is an apt word to use — I don’t know that the community ever will fully heal, but this is a very important component. A final decision is a very important component, in my mind, to allow the community to move forward,” Neufeld said.

“There was a strong message from the community that we need to respect the will of those that suffered the most through this, in terms of victims’ families and those that were present in the school that day, from that group especially. And it was just a clear indication that there’s no returning to that building,” Anderson said.

As the community moves forward, Neufeld says the tragedy does not shape Tumbler Ridge, and he hopes that Tumbler Ridge is known for its beautiful community and resilient people, and not characterized by one of the darkest days in our nation.

“Tumbler Ridge is a beautiful, idyllic mountain set, it’s gorgeous community, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, world class waterfalls, world class hiking trails. There is so much more to Tumbler Ridge than what this tragedy that had brought the attention of the world,” Neufeld said.