Most of the old school is going or gone. A lot of the new part of SOSS in Oliver is gone as well. Some parts of the school including the new gymnasium and the shops/portables appear to be intact. No classes today for secondary school students.
The building was constructed in 1948 and renovations began about 18 months ago after much design work. The iconic school was constructed of post/beam in the streamline moderne style. The old part of the school took the longest time to burn become of the heavy construction material of that day. Fire of an undetermined origin broke out at about 2:15 am and burned for 5 or more hours. It continues at this hour. ( see report time)
Report time: 7am
I spent 91/92 at SOSS as a New Zealand exchange student. Loved the school, loved the friends I made. So sad to hear of the loss to the Oliver community.
I have always loved this building, and consider myself so lucky for having the opportunities I’ve had to explore so many of the secret passageways and inner workings. Without many other structures of such significance in Oliver or the Okanagan, I quickly fell in love with this building, and since then have embarked on a long, beautiful romance with historic architecture.
I’ve been enamoured with its post-Art Deco curves, stark streamline moderne design, comfortably elegant auditorium, bright open hallways, and all the history within those walls since the early visits over from OES. The day I started my high school career was a really positive one, knowing that I would join the ranks of all those before me who’ve attended this iconic high school – my parents and grandfather included. I had waited eagerly for that moment. Though I spent the toughest of my formative years there, it’s a place that still resonates fondly with me.
When I woke up on the west coast early this Monday morning to gut-wrenching messages from family back in Oliver, a huge wave of sadness washed over me. I spent the next 5 hours straight frantically searching news sites, reminiscing on Facebook with my former classmates, and begging in vain for the bad dream to end. When I saw the pictures of that beautiful auditorium up in flames, I broke down. I spent so many years on that stage. I found my career in radio because of it. Some of my best and proudest moments are inextricably linked to that building. Sometimes it’s hard to be reminded of the permanence of things – or lack thereof.
Thank you for being the centrepiece for our growing community for so many years, SOSS, and for being the tie that binds our histories together. Hopefully we can rebuild and rise up from the ashes. Green & Gold!
Melissa Morrow (nee Hopkins)
Grad 2005
My sister Betty and I and Judy, Gordon, Bob, Doug, Dave & Pat all attended at this incrediable school back in the 1960′s. We had donated to the Venable’s Auditorium in memorabilia of our Mom & Dad and to all who were and remain the Teachers who may a difference in our lives. Betty and I had a chance to vist SOSS last October/2010, and to walk the halls and of course, sneak into the Venables Auditoium while under construction and just sit and reminisce for just a few moments.
My heart is broken. I graduated in 1956, after going to our wonderful schools in Oliver from grades 1. Our High School ranked #1 throughout our province for quality and design and oh how proud we were of it! It was big! It was bright! It was our Star! It took 3 minutes to run completely around it if you were non-athlectic like me and got my only detention in 12 years from Mr. Bob Shannon. Fond memories. Thanks to all the firemen who worked to hard to keep what they could. God Bless!
So sad to hear that SOSS was on fire and then to learn the extent of the damage. The history lost is huge. Three generations of my family attended SOSS (SOHS for my mother). The lose of the Frank Venables Auditorium makes me cry. Hopefully there will be plans to rebuild as close to original as possible.
It was very sad to learn that SOSS was on fire and later to learn the extent of the damage. Three generations of my family attended SOSS (SOHS for my mother). Hopefully plans will be made to rebuild as close to original as possible.
Class of 1981
I was absolutely heartsick to hear about the devastation of our beautiful old school, and my sympathy goes out to all its former students and teachers and, of course, the whole community of Oliver.
My brother and I both attended SOHS, as it then was, from Grades 7 to 12, and although I’ve lived at the coast for many years, whenever we return to the Okanagan I try to visit my old “alma mater”. The last time was in July, with my daughter and granddaughter (who was most impressed with it). We managed to sneak inside and take some photos of old classrooms, the office, hallways, the glass block wall of the band room, and even the girls’ pink-tiled washroom! Unfortunately, we couldn’t access the auditorium. Little did we think we would never see it again. But perhaps I’m wrong, and the powers-that-be will rebuild it to its former glory. I really hope so.
Grad of ’57
PS: Hi, Mr. McLeod – I still have fond memories of your art classes!
How sad! All that is left are the memories of the bus trips from Osoyoos to SOSS, the teachers that have come and gone and the friendships forged through our high school years. Hang onto your old annuals; hopefully, once the school is rebuilt, pictures, posters and other memorabilia can be found of classes from days gone by to once again decorate the halls………. Class of 1973
A very sad day indeed ! SOSS , as we knew it is gone, alot of wonderful memories . Myself & my siblings attended SOSS , as well as my 3 children . I personally along with others would love to see the auditorium , and the rest of the school rebuilt , looking the way it looked. SOSS defiantly had a lot of Character!! Weather that’s an option , I guess we’ll have to see. I would like to say a HUGE THANK-YOU TO ALL OUR FIREMEN , AND THE OTHER FIREMEN FROM NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES , THAT HELPED!!! YOU DO A WONDERFUL JOB , AND I’M THANKFUL TO EVERYONE OF YOU , FOR WHAT YOU DO !!!
I awoke early this morning to the news that our beloved SOHS was in ashes. This is a very sad day for all in IOliver and and all former students far and wide. I and my siblings John, Diana and Jamie attended the school and we were all very proud of our wonderful school. My brother John was in the first class to go from grade 7 – 12 in the school. He and his classmates carried desks etc. to the school from the old (now the Oliver Elementary) School. We all performed in concerts, plays, debating competitions and those school assemblies we had each week. Our parents Alex and Stanley Bertram attended concerts, sang in the Choral Society concerts, attended plays, meetings etc. etc. in that wonderful auditorium – so unique for a town the size of Oliver in those days. I used to feel that the school was the heart of the community and that all sorts of good things happened there.
As someone else said, the school may be in ashes but our memories still burn brightly and I know that Oliver will mourn the loss and then pick up the pieces and start over and carry on. None of our family live in Oliver now but our hearts are with you all and we will think of you as you rebuild and carry on with the good work that always came out of that school.
God Bless you all.
Nora Sarsons (Bertram)
Vancouver
Such a great loss to the oliver community my heart goes out to the staff and students as they transition into a more changed circumstance
How very very Sad, to have this incident occur! What an unbelievable loss!
SOSS was a magnificent school with it’s prestigious Venables Auditorium. It was such a cherished architectural building that brought pride to the total community and beyond.
Our greatest hope is that it was well covered with insurance and that this will generate the seed to rebuild however, even with the present plans in hand and the very careful recording done by Sue and Leza prior to the renovations (both in the form of pictures and on paper) it will never be quite the same .
We will all mourn it’s loss as many of local community were involved in saving the Venables and for that matter the school but as others have stated we must just pick ourselves up and start all over again!
Sad pictures of the fire but they kindled many fond memories of five years of teaching at SOSS. I moved to Oliver in 1947 at age 21 beginning a 40 year career in education.
I still remember the feeling of pride we had in October of 1948 when we marched from the old ’29 and 41 school to enter the new high chools. And who could ever forget Cece Ritchie our principal and his way of running a strict but loving school.
The school may be gone the memories are forever. Hi to all the grads of those years.
Bill MacLeod
Publisher: Nice to hear from of all our readers but so nice to know you are with us Bill. Fond memories of Bill in Oliver and Osoyoos.
That is so sad! I Loved Working at SOSS! One of my first teaching jobs in the district was in Oliver and I have had four teaching jobs there. I am going to miss it. My family members have all graduated there and it is a very sad day for the Southern Okanagan! I can’t believe it, all the money spent on renovating and all of the workers that have lost all of their tools and now what? They can’t accommodate all of the students there when the East Wing is gone. I Heart SOSS! Hornets are sad everywhere. : (
I am so sad to hear this news this morning! I have so many fond memories of that high school, its grounds, its teachers. I remember many fun lunch times as we hung out in the auditorium and listened to Kenn playing Elton John songs on the piano. I’m glad that I had the chance to go back to all my high school reunions to reinforce my memories. My parents bought a plaque for both my brother and I during the fundraiser “buy a seat” for the auditorium. Now those plaques are in the rubble somewhere.
I know the community of Oliver (and the high school alumni) will work hard to rebuild. I hope it starts with the auditorium and they re-create with the original plans. What a loss.
- grad 1976.
Very sad. The photo of the auditorium in flames….the east wing gone…. What a loss.
Class of 1978
Very sad day for the whole community of Oliver and esp. for the students and staff (past and present) of SOSS. I didn’t grow up in Oliver but both my boys attended SOSS and to think that all those memories are now gone. Spoke with my eldest son who is attending University in Kelowna and he was very upset and saddened as well as our Youngest that still lives in Oliver. The Teachers and staff have always been so caring and always there for the kids. As everyone has said it is time for Oliver as a Community to join togeather and start rebuilding esp the Frank Venables Auditorium as it is so important for our community to carry on the fine arts in this town esp. for the younger generations !!!!
It was ‘home’ during our school years, many fond memories were made there. Such a cool school and beautiful grounds. It is so devastating for a community to lose their school. Keep your chins up!
Grad 81
What an incredibly sad day for the staff and students of SOSS and for the entire community of Oliver. It was a great school and I have so many fond memories of days spent there with my friends. We need the community to rally together again to rebuild the auditorium back to the original plan….we did it before and we can do it again!! It was so sad for me to hear the news that they were tearing down parts of the heritage school for a newer look and now this devastating news. Keep your chins up everyone. My thanks goes out to the Oliver Fire Department and the departments from Ok Falls and Osoyoos for trying to save our beautiful school. I am so thankful that no one was injured. Class of 1980
I can’t believe it happened. It just seems so unreal… We were supposed to have a whole new floor today, the cafeteria was done today… It was all going to be so nice and then…
People always joke about having their schools burn down, but once it happens, it’s no laughing matter.
It is such a sad day for the Town of Oliver. My parents went to SOSS, my family has been there… My Great Grandpa worked there…. Such a sad day! Time for the town to come together again and rebuild again! Oliver is strong and will carry on!
A terrible loss. The school, the heritage structure, the auditorium, and all the memorabilia inside.
I am so sad to see the school go, my daughter was to have started there this morning. I am so glad for the reunion last month. We need to get together as a town, and past graduates, to rebuild the auditorium.
It’s sad. We fought so hard for the school to be renovated instead of torn down and now it’s all burned down to the ground. You never think that something like this would happen. I never thought it would be so emotional.
Class of 2004.
What a tragic loss for Oliver. That was such a beautiful school. I hope the current students and staff will soon find a way to carry on.
Class of ’87.
I am devastated. I loved this school
I was hoping that one day my kids could go here.
I graduated there in 1990 and my mom also graduated from there. A great schoo0l and lots a great memories. My heart goes out to the students and teachers.
A very sad day for Oliver:-(
Such a horrible loss for our community. SOSS has seen thousands pass through it’s doors and can never be replaced. My heart goes out to all who have worked so dilegently to save the auditorium. Hats off to the Oliver Fire Department for trying so hard to save it. So sad. Class of 83
The loss of SOSS for the Oliver BC and surrounding Community…. such a tragedy:’(
This is a horrible loss for our community. It is so difficult to see the new and beautiful go with the historic and valued.
Why? How? – to early to know but let’s wait for the facts before speculating.
What next? – I trust those in the school board to do the best for our students and our community. It would be great to keep the kids together, but thier education must be the most important consideration.
Aww … my heart is breaking … I am so sad for the students and teachers and the Oliver Community … hope there are no injuries!! I loved SOSS!!!