Owning a Piece of KGV

By 250 News

    Although efforts to revive, save or move King George V school in Prince George have fallen flat, that doesn’t mean you can’t own a piece of history.

The school is scheduled to have a date with the wrecking ball in two to three weeks.  It all depends on the speed with which the contractor can deal with the asbestos issues.  All  of the hazardous material has to be removed before there’s any move to knock it down.

There are treasures.  You already know School District 57 has  ordered a bank of windows, and  a corner section of the stairway that was the centrepiece and focal point once inside the main  front doors to be saved .  As for the rest?   Well, that’s where  you get your chance if you’re interested.

The demolition company, Western Thermal, has  salvaged from KGV 4,000 square feet of maple flooring from the stage and the gym.   

The maple flooring (on the left) is tongue and groove, and  is 2 and 1/4 inches wide.  Oh sure, there are the remnants of a basketball "key" painted on some pieces, but nothing a commercial sander can’t handle!    Then there is  a bundle of "fir" flooring as shown on the right.  These pieces are 3" wide, and there is enough to  complete  2,000 square feet.

There other gems, like 24 foot long fir beams that are 3" thick and 13" wide.  (shown at left)

They are old growth timber beams, and they are spoken for.  "I know a guy in Penticton who makes solid wood doors, and he bought the whole lot" says Johansen.

Steve says  the flooring will likely be  purchased  by  someone on Vancouver Island, as there is a real demand for "vintage" pieces for homes.  "A few scuff marks, a few dents, they don’t care, they like the character of the items" says Johansen.  

If there is someone looking for a piece of history,  then Steve’s number is the one to call.  You can get more details by calling Steve Johansen at 562-7660

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