A group of local high school students are helping to create a "home-away-from-home" atmosphere at the City of Spruce Grove's newly expanded Protective Services building.
Fifteen students from Spruce Grove Composite High School (SGCHS) are designing and building a one-of-a-kind kitchen table for the building's expansion through a partnership between the City and Parkland School Division.
The table, which is being constructed in three sections, weighs roughly 1,000 pounds and features a 16-foot solid walnut top. A Spruce Grove Fire Services ladder will be incorporated into its base to pay homage to the history and growth of fire services in the community. Additionally, the table will be embossed with a SGCHS panther the school's mascot to recognize and thank those who contributed to its creation.
"We are thankful for the opportunity that our students were presented with from the City of Spruce Grove," says Cheryl Otto, Principal at SGCHS. "In Parkland School Division, one of our enduring priorities in our Education Plan is Connected Community and we are always looking for ways to connect the community to our schools."
When designing the City's Protective Services building expansion, which is anticipated to be complete this summer, special attention was given to finding a kitchen table for the space that could accommodate all Spruce Grove Fire Services/EMS and Enforcement Services staff who may be on-shift at the same time.
"Many of our staff will live in the building during their shifts, so we wanted to provide them with a place where they can all gather together to visit and connect," said Spruce Grove Fire Chief Robert Kosterman. "These students are doing a fantastic job creating this key piece of furniture that, in many ways, will be the heart of the building."
The students involved are studying construction, fabrication and design and have spent more than 50 hours on the project throughout the 2018-19 school year. The students have also received practical experience in producing drawings and presenting a project proposal to City staff.
"Students jumped at the chance of being part of a legacy project that will be such a centrepiece at the new facility," says Otto. "The opportunity to authentically engage in the design and construction of this table takes learning to a higher level. Our teachers and students are proud to have been selected."
Final construction and delivery of the table is expected to be complete in June.
Once the Protective Services building expansion work is complete this summer, focus will move to the next phase of the project, which is an extensive renovation of the existing facility. More information on the Protective Services building renovation and expansion project is included in the Summer 2019 issue of the City's magazine, CityPulse, which is being distributed later this week.
