About Us

Welcome to Eugene Reimer Middle School!

Eugene Reimer Middle School is a diverse learning community empowering the whole person toward individual success, community involvement and global citizenship.

Our Namesake: Dr. Eugene Reimer

Our school proudly displays the name of a Canadian hero, Eugene Reimer. Eugene Reimer’s story, his commitment to service, unwavering positive attitude, and his passion for enabling others to set goals and realize their potential is a compass for the staff and students at Eugene Reimer Middle School.

Eugene Reimer’s significant contributions to sports and to athletes with a disability are unparalleled. An inspiration to thousands of disabled individuals, Eugene proved that a wheelchair is not a handicap, but rather, an opportunity for athletic achievement.

Following a childhood bout with polio, the longtime Abbotsford resident was left with only minimal use of his legs. In the 1960s, when wheelchair sports were in their infancy, Eugene took on sports with a passion. He excelled in a wide variety of competitions, including weightlifting, archery, swimming, basketball, volleyball, and track and field events. Eugene Reimer quickly became one of British Columbia’s top all- around athletes.

From 1968, until his retirement from sports in 1980, Eugene amassed over 50 national and 22 international medals, including 10 in the Paralympic Games (5 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze). Eugene was named "Canadian Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year" in 1972, the first  time that such a level of recognition had been awarded to an athlete with a disability. In 1974, he was awarded the Order of Canada medal for his "inspiring example to the handicapped". In 1991, the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame and Museum presented Eugene with the W.A.C. Bennett Award, in recognition of his special contribution to the Province of B.C.

In 2000, Eugene was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame (now known as the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame). Later that same year, the Eugene Reimer Award was established. This award is presented annually and recognizes a British Columbian who makes an outstanding contribution in the field of sport, recreation, or physical education for persons with disabilities. Abbotsford’s own Eugene Reimer was honoured as the inaugural recipient. On May 2nd, 2002, Eugene Reimer was the first disabled athlete inducted into the B. C. Sports Hall of Fame.

A valued ambassador for people with physical disabilities, he is still celebrated as “a highly distinguished Abbotsford Native whose courage, dedication and many achievements are an excellent model for the youth of our community, and particularly those attending the school that will bear his name.”

In June 2023, community members joined students and staff at Eugene Reimer Middle School to remember the life and legacy of Eugene Reimer and celebrate the school’s 20th anniversary.

About our Mascot: The Raven

The raven is a black, glossy bird that is a member of the crow family. The raven is known for its competitiveness, intelligence, mastery, adaptability, and ability to cooperate. We feel many of these qualities are ones Eugene Reimer students should strive to accomplish.

About our School Colours

Our school colours are black, silver, red and white.

• BLACK represents the predominant colour of the North American raven.
• SILVER represents the lining of a cloud where a raven flies. The“silver lining” provides comfort, protection, and an inspiration for the future.
• RED and WHITE represent two important ideals:            
  • The colours of the Canadian Flag, the flag and country which Eugene Reimer represented so well, winning over 50 national and 22 international medals over his 22-year athletic career.
  • The colours of BC Disability Sports represent perseverance, strength, ability, dedication, and an opportunity to achieve.