Built in 1906, Stuart Wood School served hundreds of students until it was closed by the school district in 2016. The building is an architectural landmark for downtown Kamloops. Once demolished, this piece of our history is gone forever — and Kamloops has precious few heritage buildings still standing.

Stuart Wood is a green oasis in the heart of downtown, surrounded by heritage trees. It has been used for decades by the Kamloops Farmers Market and six day care centres rely on the green space for their children to play — a licencing condition for these much-needed businesses.

Like any empty building left unused, Stuart Wood School is deteriorating. The foundation is crumbling and the electrical/heating/plumbing systems need work. While part of the building is temporarily being used by emergency shelters, it is not a long-term solution.

A growing group of neighbours, community members and heritage groups believe Stuart Wood School has the potential to serve Kamloops for generations to come. Kamloops residents deserve to have a say in what happens with Stuart Wood School and the property.

We respectfully urge the City of Kamloops to work with residents to preserve Stuart Wood School as the heritage gem that it is.

Here is the Petition:

We, the undersigned citizens of the City of Kamloops and members of Friends of Stuart Wood School, urge Kamloops City Council to remove Stuart Wood from potential locations for a police station. 

Furthermore, we call for:

• City Council to direct City staff to work with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and the Province of B.C. to grant the City full ownership of the Stuart Wood School property
• City Council to undertake restoration of the building
• The City to consult with community, neighbourhood and heritage groups to explore repurposing Stuart Wood School as a community asset.

Photo source: City of Kamloops