“It’s fantastic,” Polnik said, adding that after the school committee put in the application for the grant, it went to different committees for approval. “It helps promote our brand values. One of our brand values is community. It fits us so well, so it’s just exciting that they were accepted in the application and we can be part of the project.”
Teacher Kim McKay, who heads the school committee, which also includes Krista Clyne, Shelly Mills, Cassamdra Sprott, Sonia Harper and PJ Ricard, said she saw an advertisement for the grant and started the process. She sent an email to other staff in the primary area and had a lot of interest in forming a committee to get it moving.
“The applications opened on February 1 and had to be in on March 1, so there was only a month,” McKay stated.
The idea is to develop an outdoor learning space. McKay said they always had a vision for an outdoor classroom, but needed to seek outside money to help make it a reality.
She said there would be a few structures with picnic tables where they can take classes outside. Whether it is about nature, or just bringing their teaching from inside to outside, there is great value to the space. It is to be located on the primary side of the school on the north, under the trees. They will be removing some fencing in the area to accommodate it.
“There will be a structure, with a roof and a base. There are no walls yet, but we might add some in the future. There is a climbing apparatus. There are two big climbing rocks of various heights, just like at the Kinsmen Park. We’re hoping by having the different sizes we can accommodate the little guys, all the way up from kindergarten to Grade 4 on our playground.”
There will be walking and crawling spaces as well. Everything will be set up to look like a natural space. It will be named the Co-op Community Outdoor Classroom.
McKay said this could be a four-season space. She could see taking students out to do many things in the winter, which might mean a wall on the north side. Teachers want everyone to be visible while using the space.
As well, it will be open to the public. They will be leaving a piece of fencing open so the community can access it.
“That way people can use it, even in the summer,” McKay said. “They could have a picnic. It’s close to the swimming pool, it’s close to the ball diamonds. That’s what brings community together.”
At the donation ceremony, members of the school system, Co-op and community attended. Turtle Mountain School Division Superintendent Tim De Ruyck thanked Federated Co-op for the assistance, saying it is a great help for a good project.
“A lot of projects on school grounds would often not occur without the support of the community and outside businesses,” De Ruyck said. “This is a project that will benefit the school and the community of Boissevain for many years to come.”
Boissevain-Morton Head of Council Judy Swanson said she was very proud of the community and the school, congratulating everyone on their involvement.
“We will all benefit from such a beautiful space,” Swanson said.
McKay said the equipment has been ordered. It has a two-month delivery time. She said her understanding of the Community Spaces program is the school must have the whole project finished before a grand opening. She is hoping to have the project finished and ready to use by the time the snow flies this year.
“There are always a few obstacles in the way,” McKay explained “but we are hoping to be done by late fall.”
She said there are a lot of active community members to help out, including those from the Parent Advisory Council. They are also hoping for some help from the Co-op.
Polnik said they will be in contact with the committee throughout, helping where needed, but it is very much their project. They are pleased to be involved, and he personally feels it is a great idea.
“It’s great because it is a community project,” Polnik said. “It’s here on the school grounds, so the students can use it, but the people passing by can use it. It’s a fantastic initiative. We’re glad to be a part of it.”
McKay said there are great benefits to the school for the project.
“It will add a structure where we can take our classes outside and have a roof over our head,” McKay explained. “We can even be outside when it rains. Also, having the natural play equipment will be a bonus. We’ve tried to bring old tree trunks in for that, but there’s slivers, there’s this, there’s that. It is natural, kids need to deal with that, how to deal with slivers. But this just makes it look like it belongs from nature. It will be a great addition.”
This year, Co-op Community Spaces donated $2 million to 26 different projects across Western Canada. Since its inception in 2015, the fund has given out $8.5 million. Although this is the first project within the Boundary area, Polnik said this might just create more enthusiasm and applications in the future.
“I think so,” Polnik said. “There are people who showed interest in the past. I think when you get something in your backyard it should build even more.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff