Although they only started fundraising six months ago, Three Lakes School has raised enough money in that short time to install a new gym floor.
The grand opening of the newly renovated gym was held December 30, with the 10th Annual Alumni Basketball game as the focus of the celebrations.
The game had the current school's basketball teams playing a team of alumni players.
"The games went very well," said Andrea Baker, one of the event organizers. "The alumni teams won both games, although the boys' (game) was a nail biter."
About 130 people came out to the game and to see the newly renovated gym.
The floor of the gym has been continually getting worse as years went by. It was a concrete floor that was heaving and cracking, which was a safety hazard for the students.
"It was also very hard on the joints of the students who were actively using it daily," said Baker.
A committee of parents and teachers was formed to raise money to repair the floor after the Horizon School Division turned down requests to fix it.
"Our plan was to sell sponsorships for each square foot of our new gym floor," explained Baker. "For each unit of floor sponsored, your name was placed on a plaque on a replica gym floor, hanging in the school entrance. We targeted local communities, alumni and some big businesses to see if they could help us out. "
The response from the community was unbelievable. Many people donated to this campaign, but they also received money through other projects as well.
"We sold photo packages for Reflections by Richard with the proceeds going toward the floor, a Ford Drive One 4 UR School event, a tradeshow, numerous breakfasts and suppers, progressive 50/50s, and a talent show to name a few," said Baker. "A dance held on July 1 pushed us over our goal of $130,000."
A project they thought would take them several years to raise money for took only six months.
"We're thrilled - it's beautiful," said Baker. "There are very few like it - it is state of the art."
The floor is no longer concrete, but hardwood, which is easier on student's joints.
"We would like to thank Middle Lake, Humboldt and area for helping so much," said Baker. "Without the community support, it would not have been possible."
