A $10,000 donation has put the Friends of Westbrook School Society closer to the funds needed to meet its commitments to build a larger gymnasium when a new Westbrook School is constructed, slated to break ground this summer.
The money was granted to the society by Wynne Chisholm and Jack Anderson of W.A. Ranches Ltd. to go toward expanding the gym space by 70.4 square metres of its original design, which the society said is sorely needed.
Karen Allison, a volunteer with the Friends of Westbrook School Society, said the larger gym would provide for the addition of a spectator area, which would allow the school to host tournaments. The expanded gymnasium would also give the school the opportunity to create a space for the community to use after school hours. Allison said examples of community uses could include community sports leagues, drama and theatre performances, music events, fitness programs and community suppers.
"We felt we wouldn't want to do it after the fact because it would cost a lot more," said Allison of the push to build the larger gym during initial construction.
The donation will assist the society in paying back a loan from Rocky View Schools (RVS) that matched $100,000 received last fall through the Rocky View County's Community Recreation Funding Capital Assistance Grant program.
With $90,000 left on the loan, the society is now looking to raise the balance, kicking off with its Trip of the Month fundraiser that launched this past weekend during Westbrook's School annual school fair.
For $100, entrants have a chance at a monthly draw with three prizes. A cash prize of $200 and $100 goes to the second and first place winners respectively while the grand prize is one of six trips – Hawaii, Disneyland, Cuba, Mexico, New York City, and a Caribbean Cruise. There is also an early bird prize draw of $1,000.
Tickets can be purchased by contacting [email protected].
With 500 tickets available, the fundraiser has the potential to add $50,000 to help pay for costs associated with the new school, such as bleachers for the gymnasium. The draws begin on June 13.
The new Westbrook building, which is estimated to cost $6 million, will be funded through RVS cash-in-lieu reserve. RVS made the decision to self fund the 1,600-square-metre school in 2017 to expedite replacement of the 66-year-old facility. The old school will be demolished.
Aside from the larger gym, the new school will also include change rooms, washrooms, ancillary spaces, break-out spaces and learning commons for its kindergarten to Grade 8 students.
More details to come in the May 9 print edition of the Cochrane Eagle.
– with files from Amy Tucker
