A new outdoor classroom and basketball court will be constructed at Aurora Middle School this spring thanks to a $50,000 Alberta Blue Cross Built Together grant and the hard work of the Aurora School Council.
"This was a project identified by our school council that will benefit students and the community as a whole," said Principal Carolina Franke. "Our playground and frisbee golf course are already used by many families in our community and this will provide an additional way for them to stay active."
Alberta Blue Cross awards five Built Together grants each year - one in Edmonton, one in Calgary, one in a secondary city, one in a rural community, and one in an Indigenous community. Aurora was the recipient of the rural community grant this year.
"We are very grateful to be just one of five projects chosen for funding this year," said Franke. "We weren't sure when we applied for the grant if we would be successful or not because there are so many other schools and communities looking for funding. So we were really excited when we received the email congratulating us on being selected."
The grant will cover the majority of the cost of the project which includes two basketball courts and outdoor seating that can be used for an outdoor classroom or for other family or community activities. The seating area, which will be located in front of the school's growing dome, includes five picnic tables, two shade sails, and several trees. The new basketball courts will be constructed on the south side of the growing dome.
The total project cost is estimated at around $70,000 so the Aurora School Council will be reaching out to the community to help raise the additional funds needed to complete the project. Anyone interested in making a donation is asked to contact the school.
"We have received amazing support from our community in the past, so we are hopeful they will recognize the value of this project and help us create this space for our students and families in the community," said Franke.
