East Wheatland School continues to fundraise

JUSTIN SEWARD
Times Reporter

 

The Friends of East Wheatland Society are looking for the area’s support for projects at the new school.
After having a sold-out fundraiser in Hussar on April 25, there will be other events planned in the near future.
“We had 300 people that we could invite and we had a waiting list. It was all sold out – it was terrific, so many people donated,” said Sherri Skibsted, Friends of East Wheatland committee member.
The committee will be hosting a movie night in June.
“A company is donating the funds to put a projector out so we can invite a whole bunch of people for a drive-in movie,” said Skibsted. “As far as that, we’re trying to get as many grants as we can apply for and we’re going to take it one day at a time. We’re going to do the outdoor one and we’re going to see what else we can drum up.”
The society has raised $125,000 towards their goal since February, and is always looking for more fundraising ideas.
“The Friends of East Wheatland Society have committed to fundraise $500,000. We’re the committee that is continually thinking of ideas, if anyone brings us ideas, we’ll definitely look into it,” said Skibsted. “It’s a group of parents in each community. There’s some from Hussar, Rockyford, Standard and Gleichen.”
The parents’ intentions are to make it the best school it can be for the kids.
The money fundraised will go to some important pieces of the school.
“Most of the money so far is going towards the gymnasium with the square footage that we had said we wanted so we could put bleachers in. If we go above and beyond (raising) the $500,000, then they’re looking at putting in a black box theatre for fine arts kids,” said Skibsted.
Skibsted felt good about Wheatland County’s response to their request at the meeting on April 21.
“I definitely think we need more numbers. I felt very positive that they are just waiting for us to come up with a request because I feel the support from the county is there,” said Skibsted.
The main person spearheading the school, Greg Lendvay, has seen a lot of progress and feels very confident that the county will go through with the $1 million proposed for the school.
“I think it was well received. I think there has to be some due diligence on our part and their part to see that there is a long-term fit and collaboration of some sort,” said Lendvay.
“They were definitely in the right in terms of asking for a facilities agreement, just to guarantee a long-term partnership and accessibility on both parties. I think there was an genuine interest in something regionally that’s more than just a school, that incorporated all ages at all levels, including seniors.”
Lendvay wants to ensure that whatever the structure of the school may be, it is feasible and sustainable.
He predicts the committee will reach 50 per cent of their fundraising goal by June. One way he thinks that could happen is if more major sponsors come on board with the project.
“We could be looking at anything from a big corporate sponsor to come on board to a public-private partnership which someone could run in the non-school hours,” said Lendvay. “There’s a number of different models that we can explore and I think what we want to do is to engage the stakeholders to see what they really want.”
Lendvay is optimistic he will have a package of numbers ready to be brought back to council some time in June.
Wheatland County Chief Administrative Officer Alan Parkin has received minimal information on existing schools’ upgrades and the proposed numbers for the new facility.
“I have received information in regards to the improvements that are needed on the existing schools and that’s the information I’ve received thus far,” said Parkin.
Parkin echoed that there has been no commitment on either side for the requested $1 million.