BOW VALLEY – The Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation will donate more than $170,000 to the Canadian Rockies Public School (CRPS) division for the 2018-19 school year to support students across the division.
The Outdoor Learning Centre will be the biggest recipient, with $75,000 allocated to the program.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment as a funding partner with the school division, to support the efforts that ensure a quality school experience is available to our students, and that affordability to families is achievable,” wrote Cathy Geisler, the organization’s fund director
The money for the Outdoor Learning Centre will be used for various initiatives, including making sure local high school students have access to programs and courses at a nominal cost. A portion of the money will also be used to offset the cost for Grade 7 and 8 outdoor leadership programs, as well as covering incremental costs to support the learning centre’s growth and program development.
Superintendent Chris MacPhee warmly welcomed the donation.
“Canadian Rockies Public Schools is very thankful for the support from the Pauw Foundation. The partnership CRPS has forged with the foundation has only continued to expand and they are now providing opportunities for students throughout the valley,” wrote MacPhee.
As part of the donation, $30,000 has been earmarked for both Banff Elementary School’s nature explorers program and to keep extracurricular fees affordable for families that send their children to Banff Community High School.
An additional $5,000 will be given to Banff Community High School’s outdoor learning initiatives, including school-wide hike days and classes in the park.
“Our goal of supporting an active, vibrant, healthy lifestyle for the Banff community continues as the primary focus for the foundation, working with the pillars of active youth, education, and community building,” wrote Geisler.
The foundation has also set aside $16,000 to ensure all students at Banff Elementary School can take its outdoor pursuits program, as well as an additional $7,000 for the school’s extracurricular athletic program.
The foundation is also in talks with the school division to financially support its dual credit program that offers hands-on learning opportunities to students while getting a jumpstart on their post-secondary education.
In addition to this year’s donation, the foundation will continue to offer free season ski passes to Norquay for students who attend school in Banff and will continue to award scholarships to graduating students from Banff Community High School.
Established in 2013, the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation is a private foundation funded by the profits of Banff Caribou Properties and the Banff Lodging Company. The goal of the Pauw Foundation is to reinvest in Banff, supporting projects that contribute to a more active, vibrant and happy community. The foundation intends to donate a total of $350,000 this year.
