In November 2024, fire ravaged the Carihi Secondary School's gym and A wing, devastating an essential part of our community's educational life in Campbell River, BC. Carihi, known for its vibrant student body and dedicated educators, has suffered an immeasurable loss that goes beyond mere bricks and mortar. This tragedy has impacted students and teachers alike, disrupting educational programs, sports activities, and community events that are usually centered around these facilities.

The gymnasium was not just a place for sports - it was a hub for community gatherings, school functions, and a safe space for students to develop physically and socially. The A wing was home to specialized classrooms including culinary arts, music and band, and drama, where countless memories were made and where future leaders were nurtured. The fire has left a significant void in these vital spaces, affecting many aspects of school life and the community at large.

With no specific plan or funding in place a year and a half after the fire, it is imperative that we act swiftly and decisively in the physical rebuilding process. The status quo, with virtual assemblies, borrowed spaces, and off-site programming cannot replicate the energy, pride, accessibility, and connection that come from gathering as a school community in one place.  At the current pace, some students may graduate having spent their entire high school career without ever experiencing a functioning school gymnasium or the full extracurricular opportunities that are meant to define adolescence.  

Call to action: We request the BC Ministries of Infrastructure and Education to provide a clearly communicated rebuild plan and secured funding commitment in place no later than the end of May 2026 for Carihi Secondary School's gym and A wing.

This timeline is essential to restore confidence, provide clarity for families and staff, and ensure that this project moves from uncertainty into action.

We are not simply asking for a building to be repaired. We are asking for the restoration of the academic balance, physical wellness, extracurricular opportunity, school spirit, and communal heart of Carihi Secondary School.

Our students deserve urgency. They deserve transparency. They deserve certainty.

Sign this petition to urge the BC Government to provide a clearly communicated rebuild plan and secured funding commitment for the reconstruction of the Carihi gym and A wing. Every signature counts towards ensuring a brighter, more hopeful future for our students and community.