Weekend rally calls for preservation of historic Stuart Wood School in Kamloops

Speakers at Saturday’s rally wanted preservation of the building to be the priority.

“This third public school on campus was completed in 1907 and opened for classes in September that year,” said Kenneth Favrholdt, a proud local historian and heritage consultant.

“The school welcomed me and this place is the place that made me come alive to the history in this region. It was a dream like being a student here in the eighties,” added a former student at Stuart Wood.

“There’s so much history…. we don’t want to lose that…I’m just here to say the school can’t go,” one participant stated during the open mic session.

For some, saving the school means bringing students back.

“I’ve talked to a lot of people in the West End and throughout this part of the city, and they make clear that a school here for elementary kids would be desirable. In fact, essential,” said Vic Mowbray.

“Children need space, green space. We need another elementary school with our densification plan,” added Carmen-Ann Schulz.

Others also pointed to what this space already provides.

“We have a legacy of caring for the space,” said Greg Unger, the manager of the Kamloops’ Farmers Market. “Moving the farmers’ market would really tank the market’s economy. It would take us a while to rebuild. It would also impact all of the downtown businesses.”

For people like Renee Stein – the executive sirector of the Out Of The Cold shelter, which operates out of the Stuart Wood gymnasium – said current utilization of the building is needed, and that relocation is not an option.

“You can’t rebuild history. You can’t rebuild culture. You can’t just transport culture and expect that it’s going to have the same vibrancy that it does here on some branded space,” Stein said.

But keeping the building will take more than just keeping it standing.

“I’m not saying that you have to just say, ‘oh, we’re going to save it. You would have to put money into it.’ But that is what happened with St. Andrews on the Square as well,” said outgoing city councilor Nancy Bepple.

“I’m here to say ‘let’s save the school,’ and you know what? When it comes time to renovate, I got two working hands in a good back. Let’s get going. I’m here to help,” added Bryce Eberle, a 2026 city council candidate.

Michele Young is part of the Kamloops Heritage Engagement Group, and she developed a Facebook page to advocate for city’s heritage

“This is the oldest standing school in Kamloops, and it’s a beautiful building,” Young said. “It’s a landmark. It’s got heritage designation. It needs some love.”

by Jeremy Russo

Weekend rally calls for preservation of historic Stuart Wood School in Kamloops

Our Community