CHECKPOINT - Theory and practice have come together for students in a renewable energy course with positive benefits for a local family.

Five students from Thomas Simpson school are constructing a greenhouse at Checkpoint. The project puts into practice coursework on renewable energy taught during a career and technology studies module (CTS).

Vanessa Sanguez cuts pieces of wood to brace the rafters of the greenhouse being constructed at Checkpoint. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

When the course started in February, participants decided to build a greenhouse because it was a project that would be both feasible and enjoyable, said teacher Alex Scharf.

Student Jeffrey McKay told his parents Wayne and Lynn about the project.

The family, who live and run a business at Checkpoint, have been considering building a greenhouse for a few years.

"With the cost of vegetables and getting groceries here you think about growing your own," said Lynn McKay.

McKay said she and her husband decided that by supporting the project and purchasing the necessary building materials they would get a greenhouse and also be able to support the students.

"It looks good, I'm impressed," McKay said of the partially-completed structure.

The greenhouse, an A-frame structure on a pony wall, is being built on an empty cement pad at Checkpoint. Four-foot wide growing beds line the perimeter of the 16 by 24-foot building.

A woven poly, held in place with a pipe and ratchet system, will cover the frame.

To extend the growing season the greenhouse will use two sources of heat, said Scharf.

Solar energy will heat the air in the peak of the greenhouse. A fan will move that air through six-inch corrugated pipes under the soil in the growing beds. Heat from a nearby shed that houses a diesel generator will also be piped underground into the structure.

"These features should significantly improve the length of the growing season," Scharf said.

To prepare for construction all of the members of the renewable energy class, including Ramona Menicoche, Vanessa Sanguez, Vince Browning, Jeffrey McKay and Steven Boutillier worked in the school's shop to build modular pieces to transport to the site. Three construction classes at the school were also involved in the process.

Student Vanessa Sanguez said there's a feeling of accomplishment that comes with being involved in a project like this.

"It was fun making it," Sanguez said.

Ramona Menicoche said she originally joined the class for the credits but has enjoyed it. As part of the class the participants took tours of different sites around the village including the water treatment plant, the steam plant and the Northwest Territories Power Corporation's power plant.

"I know how we can improve energy efficiency around town," said Menicoche.