2009 has seen many things. Worsening global economies, G20, Obama being sworn in, North Korea launching missiles and troubles in Thailand and Cambodia. Oh, and there were those pesky Somali Pirates too…

However, it hasn’t all been doom and gloom, especially at Pearson College. Over the last few months, students in both the Campus Care and Growing Opportunities activities have been racing against the clock to finish construction of the 70’ X 20’ greenhouse that will shortly begin growing food for the Pearson College Community.

Under the typical British Columbia rain, students mixed and poured concrete for the foundation of the structure. After much work (and concrete), the foundation was completed, allowing the metal hoops to be put in place, along with bracing to keep the hoops in place. Meanwhile, truckloads of sand were dumped into the interior and spread evenly. Outside the foundation, trenches were dug and laid with drainpipes.

After the hoops were installed, Campus Care students gathered one warm, sunny afternoon for the climax of the project: covering the structure with plastic. While some students finished the final touches on the hoops, others unrolled and stretched out the precious sheeting that would soon cover the hoops and trap sunlight. With much collaboration and patience, the plastic was pulled over the top of the greenhouse and locked into place.

Students are currently building beds inside the newly covered greenhouse in order to plant the seeds. Once the concrete blocks are secured in place, topsoil will be trucked in and shovelled into the beds. Seeds will be planted, and with some TLC, the fruits of our labour will spring from the ground. As Lawrence said at the beginning of the year, we will look at the greenhouse and say “We did this, together.”
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this project over the last eight months: Campus Care, Growing Opportunities, and especially Chris, Richard, Lawrence and Peter.