Victoria High School

Victoria High School in Victoria, British Columbia, is on the 2018 Top 10 Endangered Places List.

Created by the National Trust for Canada

 — Posted May 23, 2018
Victoria High School, Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria Times Colonist

Location

Victoria, British Columbia

Why it matters

Built of noble materials in the Classical Revival style, Victoria High School (1914) is the oldest high school in Victoria and a beloved institution that has played a profound role in the community.  

Why it’s endangered

Victoria High has received the highest level of seismic risk rating from the BC Ministry of Education’s Seismic Mitigation Program, which unfortunately skews decision-making towards new construction. The School Board has been holding public meetings as it looks at three options: demolition and new school ($50-60 million), seismic upgrades ($60-70 million), or façade retention and new interior ($100-110 million). In the lead-up to a Board vote on the options in June, heritage groups and a large cross-section of community members have expressed alarm that demolition is being contemplated for a historic place of such unquestionable civic importance.

Every year, the National Trust publishes its Top 10 Endangered Places List as part of its mission to raise awareness of the value that historic places bring to quality of life, local identity and cultural vitality.

First published in 2005, the Top 10 Endangered Places List has become a powerful tool in the fight to make landmarks, not landfill. The National Trust believes that historic places are cornerstones of identity, community and sense of place, yet every year, more are lost due to neglect, lack of funding, inappropriate development and weak legislation. By shining a spotlight on places at risk, the Top 10 Endangered Places List raises awareness about their plight and bolsters the efforts of local advocates working to save them.

Themes associated with this article

Related to Historic Sites

Seeing the Lights

Federal heritage protection is helping to preserve lighthouses across Canada.

Article

West Pubnico, Nova Scotia: Farming saltwater marshes

Happenstance uncovers a precious reminder of the Acadians’ genius for thriving in an unforgiving terrain.

Article

Wallingford-Back Mine

The Wallingford-Back Mine in Mulgrave-et-Derry, Quebec, is on the 2017 Top 10 Endangered Places List. 

Article

Haunted History

Many of Canada's historic sites are reputed to be haunted by ghosts. Illustrated by GMB Chomichuk.

Photo gallery