As it stands right now, you can walk down the learned hallways of Edward Milne community school (EMCS) and see the beautiful pictures of graduates. You’ll hear the squeak of running shoes pounding the floor in the gym. And you’ll encounter the bustle of staff and students at every turn. But nary will you see a suggestion of the Wolverine — the school mascot.
“At EMCS, our gym walls are completely bare. There is no history, no reference to EMCS, and no representation of the wolverine, which has been our mascot for a very long time,” observed EMCS principal Patrick Swinburnson.
That’s about to change.
EMCS recently announced they have contracted artist Steven Milroy of Wonderworks Murals to develop a (you guessed it) mural for the back wall of the gym. As per the press release, it will capture “the natural beauty of the Sooke landscape and [include] the school mascot, the wolverine.”
The mural is planned to appear in the EMCS gym. Milroy has done other school gym murals on the South Island, including the ones at Spencer and Dunsmuir.
“The gym mural project, which features a fierce looking wolverine, is part of our move towards celebrating our athletics and showing pride in our school,” continued Swinburnson. “When you walk into our gymnasium, we want you to know you are in the Wolverine’s den.”
EMCS is engaged in a quest for sponsors to fund a square foot or two. Each square foot costs $20, and you can get a package deal of 10 square feet at $150 (that’s 25 per cent off). Or, if you’re really feeling generous (and rich), you can buy 100 square feet for a mere $1,200. The EMCS Leadership students are aiming to purchase 100 square feet.
But wait, there’s more!
“We will be creating a permanent memorial for our walls to record the names of all of our contributors,” noted Swinburnson.
The final size of the mural will be 60X25 feet, which means that there are 1,500 opportunities to buy a square foot.
The current date for completion is estimated to be sometime next spring, depending on the success of their fundraising.
“EMCS would like to thank all those who have already contributed,” observed Swinburnson, adding, “we have a long way to go.”
Tax receipts will be provided to all contributors. Contributions can be mailed to EMCS at 6218 Sooke Road or you can stop by the office. Cheques will need to be payable to Sooke School District #62, and the cheque should read Gym Mural Project.