Every school year brings changes, and this year, after contractors finished construction work during the summer, there is one big, noticeable change to the grounds of St. Robert School.  St. Robert School has a newly renovated parking lot. The renovations resulted in a resurfaced blacktop and other additions. The hope is that the renovation will last for 20 to 30 years. 

Principal Stangler stated that there were “several contributing factors” for why the renovation was necessary. He explained that the parking lot blacktop had not been resurfaced for about 25 years.  The “overall health” of the blacktop was also an issue because of regularly occurring potholes. And then there was the matter of the number of balls that would end up going over the fence and onto Farwell needing to be addressed.

A big renovation like this one requires contractors. The main contractor used was Poblocki. Various other contractors were utilized for the basketball hoop installations as well as the updated (and much taller) fence. There was a lot of work to do. Principal Stangler observed that the contractor had to tear up the existing blacktop, dig out a section, replace that section with rock and repave the whole lot. The work was scheduled to be completed in a week, but due to weather and unforeseen complications, the work lasted for around three weeks.

The result should be noticeable to and enjoyed by any visitor to the parking lot. In addition to the new blacktop, which anyone driving on the parking lot should appreciate, students enjoy the new basketball hoops and clearly painted playground lines. As Principal Stangler described, the hoops were repositioned so that they are all accessible during recess and can be lowered for younger students. Plus, soccer nets can be wheeled on and off the lot by kids each recess. Students will also enjoy the new striping, which makes various games possible. The new striping allows the parking lot to be used for soccer, football, kickball, and four-square. Principal Stangler stated that it “certainly seems” like students are enjoying using the parking lot during recess  

Of course, a big project like this one costs money to complete. The generosity of the St. Robert community helped make the renovation possible. According to Principal Stangler, “the money [for the renovation] was raised from a number of places. The paddle raise at the Emerald Auction and a contribution from the parish were the main sources.” 

A big change like this one is worth celebrating. To do so, St. Robert School held a get-together on a Friday evening so that families could come together to the parking lot and play on it.  And Father Enrique blessed the parking lot, of course.  

Hopefully, the renovated parking lot will last for many, many years of fun recesses and smooth parking experiences.