More than 1,000 residents from Oliver, Osoyoos and other parts of the South Okanagan were on hand for the official opening of the new South Okanagan Secondary School and Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver. The school was destroyed by a horrible fire more than two years ago. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
A former Osoyoos resident was “speechless” in Oliver as she sat in the new Frank Venables Theatre.
Eleanor Long marvelled at the architecture of Southern Okanagan Secondary School during the official opening on February 6. As a graduate of the school, she wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
“It’s fabulous architecture,” said Long. “And the auditorium . . . I’m speechless,” she stated while sitting in one of the 400 seats.
Thousands of Osoyoos residents have attended the school through the years to attend sporting and social events and to attend concerts and performances in the Frank Venables Theatre.
Long was among 1,000 people who toured the school, which has earned the moniker of the “Taj Mahal” of educational facilities in B.C.
School District 53 director of facilities Mitch Van Aller delivered an emotional speech that left a lump in many throats.
“Most importantly I want to thank SOSS staff and students for their patience, tolerance and resilience . . . and my wife for those late nights and weekends . . . and lots of venting.”
Van Aller paid tribute to the architects, electrical engineers, Greyback Construction and school maintenance staff for their excellent work and dedication to the $51 million project.
But architects Nick Bevanda and Gregg Brown hailed Van Aller as the “real champion” of SOSS.
“Through a myriad of obstacles he never lost his determination,” Bevanda said.
Brown acknowledged that the 2011 fire was a “nauseating punch to the stomach” for everyone. But after that heartbreak, a state-of-the-art facility was born.
John Echlin, who graduated in 1976, was impressed with what he saw during the tour.
“I think it’s wonderful, but it is sad to see the old school go.”
He noted the new theatre will definitely be the focal point of the community.
Lloyd Thomas came from the old school in 1949 and started Grade 7 in the new high school.
“It was called the Taj Mahal, and they said there would never be another school like it in BC.”
Thomas will never forget the first principal, Mr. C. Ritchie.
“Everybody quaked in their boots when he walked by. He had everyone in complete control.”
Thomas said students who got into trouble found themselves picking up rocks in the schoolyard.
He recalled that his best friend, Ross Fitzpatrick, who later became a senator, spent a lot of time in the school’s rock pile.
Thomas was president of the athletic council and remembers when Bruce Rutherford (nicknamed “Fuzzy”) won a contest to name the school’s sports team. He chose the name “Green Hornets.”
Thomas reminisced about the old school, saying it didn’t have air conditioning, so it was extremely hot in the classroom.
He noted the architecture and design of the new school is “unreal.”
Grade 12 students Ashley Hiibner and Hannah Ellis recalled the disruption they endured during the rebuilding phase.
They said the “trailer park” portables were either freezing or like toasters, and you couldn’t hear the English teacher over the rumbling of machines.
There was confusion and chaos, but it was worth it after they moved into their new classrooms, which now have SMARTboards and automated shutters on the windows.
“It couldn’t be more exciting to graduate from this school,” Hiibner said.
School board chair Marieze Tarr gave a big thank you to superintendent of education Bev Young who was unwavering after the fire.
“After I learned of the fire, my first concern was that Bev was going to pack her bags and leave because she had to deal with so many challenging situations,” said Tarr.
Tarr credited Van Aller for ensuring funding for the renovation project and starting all over again with a smile on his face.
Tarr said it’s the human spirit and interaction between teachers and students that guides the school’s development.
She noted that hope for the future interwoven with good memories will provide the mix needed to ensure that SOSS continues to develop the community’s leaders for tomorrow.
Young said that students now have a 21st century educational space to learn and grow. No more portables, and students now have lockers.
She expressed her gratitude to students and parents for their continued spirit, and to staff for their leadership and grit.
“You cannot see the foundations of SOSS – the real foundation goes so much deeper than cement and steel – the real foundation is the strength and spirit that grows when people work together.”
Young paid tribute to members of the Oliver Fire Department, who poured their heart and soul into saving the school.
“Your attendance here (today) means a lot to us.”
Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson brought greetings on behalf of BC Premier Christy Clark and Education Minister Peter Fassbender who couldn’t attend the ceremony.
“Today signifies a new home, a new beginning and a new legacy . . . this is a school for the future, but it’s also one that honours the past,” Larson said.
The MLA said the strength of this community is its ability to come together to build something great out of misfortune.
Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes mirrored those comments.
“As much as the loss of our historic school was personal to many, witnessing the construction of this new centre of learning has renewed our spirit of community.”
The mayor said the new facility would ensure that students’ creative talents are supported, adding that SOSS will continue its proud history of producing leaders in every area.
Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells toured the facility and was impressed with the grandeur of the new theatre, which will see students perform The Wizard of Oz this spring.
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
