Supporting students in Tumbler Ridge with a new secondary school
Planning for a new school move forward
Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, May 7, 2026 — The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are supporting Tumbler Ridge with plans to build a new secondary school at a new location, with funding from the Province and the Government of Canada, following a school board decision based on consultation with victim’s families, students, teachers, experts, and the community.
Following consultations with victim’s families, students, teachers, experts, and community members, the Peace River South school board has requested support from the Province to build a new secondary school at a new location in Tumbler Ridge and to ensure the current school is removed quickly and in a trauma-informed way. The Province and Government of Canada will support both the removal of the existing school and the development and construction of the new school.
The location and design of the new secondary school will be informed by trauma-informed community consultations and expert advice, with that feedback guiding a plan that will come back to the community for design consultation later this year.
Construction activity will begin as early as this summer, starting with the removal of the existing school. The Province will work with the school district to expedite construction of the new school.
Modular campus:
In the meantime, finishing touches are being completed on large modular classrooms provided by the province. Students will move into these later this month. These new classrooms provide students and staff with a more comfortable place to learn until the new secondary school is built.
The modular campus for secondary school students includes:
- eight spacious, modular facilities that are twice the size of the existing temporary classroom trailers
- each of the new classrooms can accommodate 25–30 students and are comparable in size and comfort to standard classrooms
- five additional modular units that will be installed by fall 2026 to be used as administrative and common space
As the community continues to move through this difficult time, we will continue to stand with Tumbler Ridge and support people for as long as necessary.