Flashback: Harewood School Facing the Wrecking Ball

August 22, 2025

In this video from 2011, A News Vancouver Island (now CTV) reporter Hudson Mack covers the possible demolition of the historic Harewood School.

The school was eventually torn down in April of 2016.

From the video excerpt:

"A Nanaimo landmark may be in its final days.

Harewood School was built in 1914 and has educated generations of children in the Harbour City. But since 2004 it has sat empty and the school district is now considering demolishing it.

When it closed in 2004, Harewood School was the oldest operating school in Nanaimo. Today it suffers like any abandoned old building - a target of rock throwing and other vandalism.

Now it looks like the old school's days are numbered. When it closed, the school district invited expressions of interest from the community - with the idea to lease it out to interested parties. But the cost of bringing the old building up to safe standards appears to be too high.

Now the school district's business committee has recommended the board look into the cost of demolition.

A few years ago, the Harewood School was designated a heritage building. But that doesn't spare it the wrecking ball.

Considered a very good example of a classical period revival style building, the school is designated as part of the historic places of Canada initiative. But that doesn't give it protective status."