The Campbell River School District is calling on the province to accelerate rebuilding efforts at Carihi Secondary School after fire damaged key parts of the campus in 2024.

In a letter to Minister of Infrastructure Bowinn Ma, School District 72 Board Chair Craig Gillis says the district is seeking urgent action to replace facilities lost in the fire, including the school gym and classrooms.

Gillis says Carihi is a cornerstone of the Campbell River community and the primary secondary school for hundreds of students and families.

He says the damaged gym, which remains visible along Dogwood Street, has become a symbol of delays that are affecting students every day.

At a recent public board meeting, both the Carihi Parent Advisory Council and the school board raised serious concerns about what they describe as a lack of progress from the province.

Students and staff have been forced to adapt to a double-block schedule to accommodate transportation and access to a gym located about three kilometres away.

As a result, students are currently attending two extended classes each day.

The district says the disruption has had a significant impact on student learning, well-being, and stability.

One parent noted that her child may graduate without ever having stepped inside the school’s gym.

Community frustration has also sparked an online petition calling for quicker action, including clear rebuilding timelines, dedicated funding, and facilities that meet student needs.

More information is available at Rebuild Carihi Gym.

In the letter, Gillis acknowledges the complexity of major capital projects but says the district has responded promptly to at least 30 requests for additional information and believes the time has come for a clear commitment and visible progress.

The school board says seeing construction begin this summer would help restore public confidence and is urging collaboration between the Province, the Ministry of Education and Child Care, and the Ministry of Infrastructure to move the project forward.