THUNDER BAY – Colin Nagy says it feels great playing a part in keeping the city’s crossing guards warm and off their feet during the school year.
The 17-year-old Grade 12 student and his Superior Collegiate Vocational Institute classmates have spent the past month or so building six crossing-guard huts, which on Friday were turned over to the city-run program for distribution throughout Thunder Bay.
“It feels great. Even if one (hut) is really and you have to repair it, it’s a good feeling,” Nagy said. “There’s that one crossing guard hut that you’ve driven by for years and you’ve seen the same man sitting in it for years and it’s all run down and he doesn’t look happy in it anymore, so it’s great to bring a smile back to his face when you build him a brand new crossing hut that will last him way longer.”
It was also a great learning experience, the teen said.
“This was a great project for us to learn and for us to test out our skills, because there are many angles when you are making these huts,” Nagy said.
“It’s a great experience and perfect for everyone’s skill levels.”
Classmate Alana Hunter, 17, said it was a pretty cool project.
“It was a good experience. I enjoyed building the crossing guard huts,” she said.
Measuring precise cuts was the biggest challenge she faced.
“Getting the right pieces to fit,” she said, adding she’s happy with the finished product, which still need to be painted and shingled before heading out into active duty.
“It does give me a sense of pride. I just makes me happy that we’re able to help out with the community,” she said.
Teacher John Delorey said he was happy to help out when the city approached him to have his students take part in the project.
“We’re all about community-based projects, whenever we can incorporate that into the curriculum. We took it on and the kids were quite excited to do it,” Delorey said.
“It gave them a chance to do some hands-on skills. Vocational education isn’t always about pen-and-paper tests. But if I can use some triangulation evidence – whether it be communications before we start the project or during project, observing the kids and seeing if they can work safe and effectively and use time skills, it’s great. And if the project turns out like the blueprint, that’s always a bonus.”
Michelle Riemer, field supervisor of crossing guards with the City of Thunder Bay, said it’s win-win for everyone.
“It’s a great community involvement program for everyone,” she said.
There are about 45 crossing-guard huts situated throughout Thunder Bay.
