School divisions cancel classes, field trips thanks to water damage, power outages – Winnipeg Free Press
Publish Date: 2026-06-10 23:14:00
Source Domain: www.winnipegfreepress.com
Classes were cancelled for more than 2,500 students in Winnipeg on Wednesday while many of their peers attended schools that opened without power.
An overnight storm caused wind and water damage, flooded school fields and downed phone and internet lines.
The aftermath also prompted principals to call off extracurriculars and outings to The Forks, Oak Hammock Marsh and other sites affected by torrential downpour.
MAGGIE MACINTOSH/FREE PRESS
Churchill High School families were informed the Riverview building was shuttered while maintenance crews dealt with “flooding and major water damage.”
“Let’s call it ‘a rain day,’” said Tony Kreml, superintendent of north Winnipeg’s Seven Oaks School Division. “I’ve been doing this for over 30 years — I can never recall a rain day.”
City divisions closed seven public schools, combined, including four elementary sites (Windsor, R.F. Morrison, Forest Park and Buchanan), two senior years buildings (Churchill and John Taylor) and one middle school (Hedges).
The decision to close Garden City-based R.F. Morrison and Forest Park schools for the day was made out of concern for “operational safety,” Kreml said, noting washrooms, gymnasiums and other areas were in darkness when he visited them in the morning.
The superintendent said their respective back-up generators, which had been running overnight, ran out of fuel.
Aside from reports of leaky roofs, displaced fascias and an ongoing power outage at the maintenance office, Kreml said Seven Oaks facilities are in relatively good shape.
Strong winds, hail and flash floods caused significant destruction elsewhere.
Churchill High School families were informed the Riverview building was shuttered while maintenance crews dealt with “flooding and major water damage.”
“My kids were scared… My son said he didn’t sleep well because…
