After five years of planning and fundraising, the Pemberton Secondary School Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is proud to announce that the outdoor classroom at Pemberton Secondary School has been completed.
The space comprises a small multi-use building that opens onto a presentation deck for leading classes and extra-curricular activities, and log benches for seating underneath a large sail, which provides shade in our hot climate.
This letter is intended to thank all of those involved in bringing this project to fruition, despite hurdles along the way.
The PSS Outdoor Classroom Project was initiated in 2017/18 by Grade 9 students led by (then) VP Diane Hart. Students consulted with the community and School District 48 stakeholders including the Village of Pemberton and [school board] staff, and in groups created detailed project plans with drawings and concept boards. The students’ vision was a “Shady Place to Meet, Move and Work” and an inspiring space for activities like circle sharing.
In Phase 1, construction students designed and built the building and deck. Thank you to teachers Mr. Gray and Mr. Treadway for patiently sharing your skills with students.
Phase 2 (installing a shade sail) turned out to be quite complex. We truly appreciate the generous funding from Pemberton Rotary, the SLRD (Pemberton & District Initiative Fund), the Whistler Real Estate Company and the Pemberton Women’s Institute to help with costs.
It really does take a village, and we could not have completed the project without some amazing local community-minded businesses that went above and beyond in donating their time and materials; they deserve special recognition and gratitude:
- Sandy Ryan of Whistler Welding who helped install the support posts and oversaw the concrete pour on his own time;
- Tom McComb of TM Builders for the financial donation and in-kind donation of the post installation;
- Coastal Mountain Excavations which provided all the site prep and excavation free of charge;
- Pemberton Concrete which donated the concrete for the project, and GB Concrete, which jumped in last minute with a pumper truck;
- Twin Peaks Engineering and PK Read Engineering, which provided the necessary site inspections;
- Pemberton Valley Rona for providing discounted materials;
- Continental Pole for donating logs, which have formed our learning circle.
- HappiLife Farms for completing the siding.
Lastly, we would like to thank principal Krista Brynjolfson for her enthusiasm and support of the project, and two PAC members whose vision and tenacity made this all happen: Meredith Gardner and Margo Vaughan. We couldn’t have done it without you!
It is a truly lovely space, and we know that teachers and students at PSS, as well as the greater community, will use this area for years to come.
With great appreciation, thank you, merci, kúkwstum̓ckacw.
Nancy Lee on behalf of Pemberton Secondary School Parent Advisory Council
