Online competition Gaia looking for outdoor gym for garden green space BILL BOWMAN The Compass

Gaia has entered an online competition that could net Ascension Collegiate's environmental group some dollars to purchase an outdoor green gym for their garden green space. 

People across the country are voting for the idea of their choice, in various categories. 
Twenty projects with the top votes have already been chosen form the first two rounds of competition. 

Pat George, teacher coordinator for Gaia, says the group wants to be among the top 20 in this third round. Residents can vote by keying in the following address: www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf3547

Once you have entered your name and created a password, scroll down to click 'register' at the page bottom and then vote.

"Each person is permitted to vote once a day, so all who wish to help are asked to please make it a part of their daily internet activities for the remainder of the round, the Gaia spokeswoman explains. "All are asked to invite friends and family, encouraging them to do the same." 

Aviva Insurance is granting a number of awards, totalling $500,000.

The winners from the three rounds will enter the semi-finals and then a panel of judges will decide which projects share in the prize.

Green space
Gaia, has taken an unpaved parking area and transformed it into a garden green space that has brought the young and old together, working side by side, constructing walkways, laying sod, and planting trees and shrubs. A gazebo, water feature and picnic tables are already in place. These are used for lunches, an outdoor classroom, meetings, music, and art, as well as for mentoring partners who wish to quit smoking. 

Fifty students, along with a few parents and teachers volunteered over 500 hours to help create the space. George says, "we need, as a focal point, a five-piece outdoor green gym, that together with the round picnic tables, would comprise an outdoor classroom for Healthy Living classes, suitable for all year round use."

The Gaia spokeswoman says, "the five-piece signature collection fitness equipment, built to withstand all year round climate, would be free of charge to use by students of the school or any resident/families of the community. Families would have an opportunity to sit by the brook, chat, workout, or help weed a shrub bed, in the fresh open air. All the while, we are practicing environmental stewardship, and increasing biodiversity to the grounds," George explains.

The cost for the remaining green gym item is $12,500, including shipping and handling.  

Active group
Gaia has been active for the past nine years. Last spring, along with the Bay Robert's Green Committee, they co-hosted a Green Fair at Ascension Collegiate. This event gave citizens an opportunity to connect with exhibitors covering topics including energy conservation, alternative energies, water quality, water conservation, waste management, marine debris, organic farming, community gardens, air quality, climate change, recycling and composting. 

The event, the main component of Ocean Net's "Green Community Challenge" is based on the organization's 10-Point Lifestyle Challenge, which was developed specifically to be adaptable to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. It offers five greener choices for the home and lifestyle.

Exhibitors and visitors to the fairs are doing their part to green their community, lessen their human footprint, decrease their contribution to climate change, and save lots of money.

Gaia has also been involved in annual beach cleanups in the area, taking home Ocean Net's Youth Environmental Stewardship Award in October 2008.

Their Garden was officially opened in June of this year.