Co-op Community Outdoor Classroom
Project Overview
Our project sought to replace a worn-out amphitheatre that was at the end of its life-cycle at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.
Helen Schuler Nature Centre is an environmental education facility in Lethbridge, Alberta. Located on a 200 acre preservation area park, the Centre is one of Lethbridge’s premier attractions where people and nature meet. Our project is located on the northwest side of the Nature Centre and serves as part of the gateway entrance to the Nature Quest and Oxbow Loop trail systems. Since its original construction in 1984, the amphitheatre has served as the start or endpoint for most of the Nature Centre’s programs – serving over 1 million visitors over its useful life.
The project improved the comfort and functionality of this well-used outdoor space, increased the accessibility for visitors in wheelchairs/walkers/strollers, reduced maintenance costs, and provided a more conducive outdoor space for Nature Centre programs to connect visitors with Lethbridge's river valley.
The Co-op Community Outdoor Classroom project serves as a demonstration site for our community. It is our hope that this unique space will encourage further development and support for similar outdoor learning classroom sites throughout Southern Alberta.
“Thank you to all of our project supporters! ”
BEFORE
Original Amphitheatre at Helen Schuler Nature Centre
Original Amphitheatre at Helen Schuler Nature Centre
AFTER
The almost complete new & improved Co-op Community Outdoor Classroom!
The Co-op Community Outdoor Classroom has hosted many different programs! Participants who arrived early for the Music in Nature program with Andrew Ichikawa were delighted with the warm up music!
Project Benefits
The Outdoor Learning Classroom & Amphitheatre is located on the northwest side of the Nature Centre and serves as part of the gateway entrance to the Nature Quest and Oxbow Loop trail systems. Since its construction, the original Outdoor Amphitheatre served as the start or endpoint for most of the Nature Centre’s programs. After 35 years of consistent use, the wear and tear was clearly evident and a replacement was overdue.
The project improved the comfort and functionality of the space, increased the accessibility for visitors in wheelchairs/walkers/strollers, reduced maintenance costs, and provided a more conducive outdoor space for Nature Centre programs to connect visitors with Lethbridge's river valley. The project refreshed the exterior space of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, ensuring the surrounding features of the building matched the newly renovated and expanded Nature Centre facility.
We are confident the Co-op Community Outdoor Classroom project enhances the interpretive and experiential value of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre site.
Purpose & Importance
This project shows the importance of connecting with nature and the benefits of learning outside. Research confirms that spending time in nature improves children’s academic performance, focus, behaviour, and love of learning.[1] There is a large body of evidence indicating that learning outside has a positive impact on human health and wellness, from infancy to adulthood. The list of benefits is extensive, including everything from mental wellness to physical health. Encouraging individuals to spend more time outside has never been more important! The report Youth Engagement with Nature and the Outdoors – A summary of survey findings estimates Canadian children and youth are increasingly sedentary in their behaviour and spend less than one hour outside each day. Of even greater concern is that nearly half of all Canadian children are active outside for only 3 hours or less per week.
The Outdoor Learning Classroom and Amphitheatre will provide a demonstration and learning space for our community. It will serve as an example for local schools to realize the benefits of outdoor learning spaces. Additionally, it will help teachers and educators to understand how to use such spaces to their full potential and to engage students in cross-curricular active learning outside.
The Helen Schuler Nature Centre is uniquely positioned to help our community realize the benefits of time spent with nature. Every year the Nature Centre hosts over 58,000 visitors (2019), including over 12,000 students! The Nature Centre delivers curriculum-linked environmental education programs that help to build a connection with “here” while highlighting the natural history of Southern Alberta. It is our goal for every visitor to the Nature Centre to be inspired by memorable moments of discovery in the great outdoors. Part of this experience is facilitated by beautiful public spaces that create a comfortable gateway for visitors to spend time with nature.
[1] Children & Nature Network Infographics (below)
Overview of Users
The location of the Outdoor Classroom and Amphitheatre will allow all visitors to the Helen Schuler Nature Centre to enjoy this space. With average on-site visitation of 58,000+ per year (2019), we estimate over 1,000,000 visitors will enjoy this space over the next twenty years. More specifically, the Outdoor Classroom space will be used as the initial meeting point for most Nature Centre programs – including school field trips (approximately 12,000 per year), and onsite public environmental programs (approximately 12,000 per year). We estimate that 65% of visitors are from the Lethbridge area, with the remaining visiting from all over the world. The majority of visitors to the Nature Centre are families.
Project Outcomes
Accessibility
Accessibility to the site was improved by moderating the slope (<5% grade), making it easier for those in wheelchairs, walkers, or with strollers. The space has wider entranceways and a bigger turnaround radius for those with mobility aids.
Aesthetics
The Helen Schuler Nature Centre underwent a major facility renovation, reopening in 2014 after improvements of $4.5 million. The updated and refreshed Co-op Community Outdoor Classroom now complements the aesthetics of the Nature Centre’s LEED-Gold facility!
Capacity
Features increased capacity from 22 seats to 44 seats. The space is now able to accommodate typical visiting group sizes and their accompanying parent chaperones, teacher’s aides, and teachers.
Comfort
Cedar slat seating, arm rests, and back rests provide increased comfort for visitors allowing participants to focus on the program topic – which in-turn makes it more comfortable for the presenter of the program.
Reduced maintenance costs
The ability for snow removal equipment to enter and exit the space will help to reduce ongoing operational costs and worker-injury potential.
Project Milestones
Project initiated: January 2018
Concept design completed: March 2018
Fundraising commenced: June 2018
Fundraising completed: December 2019
Total funds raised for project: $260,000.00
Project design & management team selected: September 2019
Design finalized: March 2019
Construction commenced: June 2020
Construction completed: October 2020
Final reporting: November/December 2020
Grand opening of space: target Summer 2021
Project Team
Urban Systems (design & project management)
Caliber Landscaping (construction)
City of Lethbridge Parks Department (project management)
Helen Schuler Nature Centre (project management)
Friends of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre Society (funding)
Quad Design (accessibility consultant)
Project Supporters
Co-Op Community Spaces
City of Lethbridge
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
Carol Leriger
Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta
Joyce & Paul Wilkinson
Alberta Real Estate Foundation
Friends of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre Society
ATB Cares (Match)
Lethbridge Auto Dealers Association
Trout Unlimited Oldman River Chapter
Rick Andrews’ Wildlife of the Oldman River Valley
Public Service Alliance of Canada - Alberta Agriculture Union
Mary Anderson
Linda Cerney
Maureen Garner
Curtis Goodman
Deb & Ken Kellett
Coreen Putman
And many more private donors! Thanks to everyone for their support and contributions!!
“If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, then let us allow them to love the Earth before we ask them to save it.”
Get involved!
Want to be involved in the next great project at Helen Schuler Nature Centre?
Contact Curtis Goodman for more information at 403-320-4985.