Yellowknife (Mar 03/06) - The Mildred Hall community park plans have been drawn up and organizers are now awaiting grants from Northern Strategic Funding.

Mildred Hall principal Jasemin Heyck is hoping that funding will cover the majority of the $750,000 project cost. Yk District No. 1 has already donated $50,000.

"Phase one consists of getting grass in the front and moving the basketball courts," she said.

Next summer, the project will enter phase two with the installation of new playground equipment.

The project will address what Heyck calls a "barren wasteland" surrounding the school.

The land behind the school will become a cultural and environmental education area, where students will participate in traditional bush training and the practical application of environmental studies.

Heyck said she will be learning what funding the project will receive in about a month. She plans to hire a professional fundraiser to help the school raise whatever funding is not covered by the grants.