Canadian Tire is playing a role in ensuring students at Beacon Hill Public School get a fresh start as they return to their school for the first time since the 2016 wildfire and evacuation of our region.
As the Beacon Hill School was especially hard-hit by the wildfires, the Fort McMurray Public School District (FMPSD) was forced to close the doors for an entire year.
The past twelve months have been dedicated to reopening the school, marking an important milestone in the Beacon Hill community’s renewal process.
Canadian Tire has donated roughly 100 gallons of Premier paint and sent 30 of their employees from across the company to help paint the school.
Local Canadian Tire Associate Dealer, Ray McDonald told MyMcMurray that it felt good for the company to give back to the community.
“Certainly locally we felt the pain of our staff coming back and trying to reintroduce our children into life back here,” said McDonald.
Canadian Tire has a family friendly clientele; from helping supply customers with rebuild materials to equipping them with sporting and outdoor goods, they felt it was only natural to help the school.
“We are here because we had lots of help during and following the evacuation from our corporation in Toronto to get us back on our feet again,” said McDonald. “I was really please when someone phoned me about 10 days ago and said we’ve introduced a new line of paint, how about putting a little love into every gallon and get some volunteers and let’s all have a paint fest and help one of the schools in Fort McMurray get on its feet.”
The volunteers spent two days painting the school.
FMPSD Chief Deputy Superintendent, Phil Meagher estimates the cost of painting the school would be around $250 000, a bill that the FMPSD couldn’t necessarily afford at the moment.
“This is going to be such a boost for the kids, Canadian Tire has so much to be proud of here,” said Meagher.
He is really looking forward to welcoming students back into the school.
“I think it’s going to be a renewal for them,” said Meagher, “it will be bright, no smell of smoke and a super way to start the year.”
The first day of school is Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017.
