COEUR d'ALENE — An underutilized space at Lakes Middle School is approaching a transformation.

The school's courtyard has entered the first phase of an overhaul project that will eventually create a more user-friendly space with seating, tables, shade sails and a pavilion where teachers will take learning outside and students can study and eat lunch in the open air.

“We brainstormed with our committee, we did surveys with the kids, the parents and staff and came up with some concepts," Lakes Parent Teacher Student Association treasurer and project coordinator Tiffany Allgood said Wednesday. "The big-ticket item that we want to put in here is the pavilion."

It was an open space with trees and grass until Lakes underwent renovations in 2019, when the area was enclosed and the current courtyard was constructed. Students and community volunteers spent time sprucing up the space this week, spreading fresh woodchips among the shrubs and in front of the school as a commencement to the project.

"Quite a few teachers would take their classes out there, but they would just sit on the ground, there were weeds,” Principal Jeff Bengtson said. "Now we’ll have a much nicer space."

Mountain West Bank Director of Community Development Bekah Johnson and her colleagues were among the volunteers.

“Lakes is so close to our Ironwood facility, so a lot of our humans come over and teach financial literacy here,” she said. "Lakes is special to us.”

Allgood said no formal timeline has been set for the courtyard transformation.

"I'd love to see it all come in next year," she said.

The completed courtyard will feature a Zen garden and a student-painted labyrinth as well as other colorful and educational materials. The Coeur d'Alene Garden Club is donating $1,500 for a mosaic bench that will be worked on by students, teachers and local artists Allen and Mary Dee Dodge, whose grandkids go to Lakes.

Allgood said the project is expected to cost about $350,000, funded by the community and private donations with no cost to the school district or use of levy dollars. So far, $28,105 has been raised. This includes the $25,000 Charlie and Susan Nipp Family Signature Grant.

"Their commitment to this community, in all sorts of aspects, is incredible," Katie Morrisroe, allocations chair for the EXCEL Foundation, said of the Nipps. "Our community is so lucky to have individuals like them in our corner."

"This project would not have been possible without their investment," Assistant Principal Aaron Drake said.

The EXCEL Foundation grants were announced in May. Through the foundation, with help from Coeur d'Alene Rotary, another $25,000 was granted to Skyway Elementary School to enhance its playground and make it more equitable for all students attending the school, Morrisroe said. Blacktop on the Skyway playground has been stenciled with colorful paints, games and learning tools. A balance track system will be installed in the near future.

"With the Idaho state budgets (for public education), it’s not really possible for a lot of these things," Morrisroe said. "We’re blessed — the foundation — to have a community that supports education and our public schools like they do. EXCEL wouldn't be able to do that without our community and without our supporters."

The EXCEL Foundation has awarded over $3 million in grant funding to schools in the Coeur d'Alene School District since 1987. Its yearly fundraiser, the BIG Event, is coming up Nov. 15.

Visit my.cheddarup.com/c/lakes-middle-school-ptsa-courtyard-project/items to track the progress of Lakes' courtyard transformation and fundraising campaign.

    Marshall Cook of Mountain West Bank waits for Clearwater Summit Group's Kasey Kimble to load a wheelbarrow with fresh woodchips Wednesday at Lakes Middle School.
  

    Bekah Johnson of Mountain West Bank places fresh woodchips among the shrubbery Wednesday at Lakes Middle School.