Latest News & Announcements

Tumbler Ridge Community Update - September 21, 2026

We know how important a new school is to the Tumbler Ridge community, and we are pleased to share an update.

The Province and SD 59 Peace River South School District are continuing to work together to move the new school project forward. An RFP (Request for Proposal) for preliminary site work will be issued this week. This work will help us better understand the site and inform the next stages of the project.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and the District of Tumbler Ridge have identified a potential location for the new secondary school in the middle bench area. This aligns with what we heard from many people during the spring consultation with Safer Schools Together.

We understand that this proposed site may be new information, and we want to make sure families, and community members have clear information as the project progresses. 

At this stage, the work will focus on learning more about the site to see if it is suitable for a new school. This is an important early step in moving the project forward and making sure we are doing our due diligence.

Starting this process now is important because winter conditions in Tumbler Ridge can make the work more challenging. Getting this underway as soon as possible will help keep the overall project moving forward.

Upcoming Community Consultations
There will be an opportunity for students, families, and community members to share their input as the project moves forward. Community consultations are planned for later this fall, and we look forward to hearing from the Tumbler Ridge community and sharing more information soon.

We know there is a lot of interest in this project, and we’ll continue to keep students, families, and the broader Tumbler Ridge community informed as we move forward.

Safer Schools Together is offering FREE family sessions designed to support families and caregivers in navigating the digital world. The sessions are part of Safer Schools Togethers’ on-going work through the Ministry of Education and Childcare’s erase strategy. 

Family sessions are recommended for Parents/Caregivers/Grandparents and youth aged 10 and up. Click here for more information and dates on the following upcoming sessions:

Establishing Safe, Caring, & Respectful Digital Communities - September 15, 2026

Establishing Family Practices for Safeguarding Against Cyberbullying and Sextortion - October 13, 2026

Welcome Back to Students and Families;

I hope everyone had an opportunity to enjoy some well-deserved time doing the things they love this summer.

As we prepare to welcome everyone back for a new school year in School District No. 59 (Peace River South), I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the work that has been taking place over the summer.  As we begin this new school year, you will see the results of some of this work, including improvements, new initiatives, and changes throughout our schools and facilities. These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting student success and strengthening the learning experience for everyone in our district.

The Crescent Park Elementary School expansion is now complete, and staff and students will be heading into their new spaces to start the school year. Also, the before and after school care at Crescent Park will be expanding to add an additional 12 new seats. Funding for the expansion renovation is through the ChildCare BC Operational Start-Up Fund. 

You will also notice the beginning stages of our two new builds for full day childcare through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. One Centre is being built at Tremblay Elementary School, and the other is in Tumbler Ridge. In total, 74 new childcare spaces will be available in Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge to provide support for families with young children. An additional 25 spaces for the before and after school care program will also be added at the Tremblay Centre, expanding access to care for local families. This initiative was part of the new spaces grants that we qualified for in 2023; it is wonderful to see these projects beginning. 

Canalta Elementary is also opening a before and after school care at their school and the YMCA is taking registrations. Existing space is being renovated under the new ChildCareBC Operational Start Up Fund to add 24 new spaces. In our district, we have partnered with the YMCA to help us deliver before and after school care in all the communities we serve. We are extremely grateful for this partnership and look forward to all the new programming and opportunities in partnership with the YMCA. 

In a previous letter I mentioned that a new prefabricated gym is beginning construction in Tumbler Ridge to be ready for use in early 2027. This will be a great space for students and staff to provide physical education classes while the new school is being built. 

Staff across the district have been working hard to prepare for the year ahead, with a focus on creating welcoming, safe, and supportive learning environments for all our students.

I remind everyone to slow down in school zones, watch for students at crosswalks and on bikes, stop for our school busses, and take some time to find a great story and read it out loud together in the evening to celebrate literacy! 

Christy Fennell, Superintendent

Tumbler Ridge Community Update - September 3, 2026

As students prepare to return to school in the coming weeks, we are pleased to share an update from the Ministry of Infrastructure that a new secondary school-sized gym is starting construction behind the current aquatic centre and skating rink to support Tumbler Ridge Secondary School students. 

The new prefabricated gym will provide students with a dedicated indoor space for physical education, sports and other activities while they continue learning at their temporary school campus. The gym is designed to be delivered and ready for use quickly, helping meet the immediate needs of students and staff. It is expected to be ready for students in early 2027.

Click here for more information in the full update.