Bruneau auction to help create walking path

Students and adults on a Friday health run/walk.

This year the Bruneau Booster Club is "stepping it up" -- with little steps that is.

The club plans to build a walking path for Bruneau Elementary and the community.

Students of the elementary, parents, and community members alike will be able to use the path in lieu of walking, biking, skating or skateboarding on neighboring highways and in neighborhoods.

The path will ring the existing field at Bruneau Elementary and will be seven feet wide and a quarter of a mile long.

Several materials have been looked at to construct the path, but asphalt is the most cost effective, club leaders said.

A sidewalk will connect the walking path to existing concrete paths near the parking lot at the school to provide access to the path for everyone when conditions are wet or muddy.

"The current walking surface on the field is riddled with holes and weeds, making it uneven and dangerous," a club spokesman noted. "Students and community members alike have injured themselves attempting to participate in fitness functions with the school.

"The construction of the walking path not only helps the community, but fits right in with Bruneau's involvement in the Healthy Schools Initiative." Through that initiative, Bruneau has implemented extended physical and health education programs, two items picked out of eight in the Healthy Schools Initiative Program. Along with that program, several grants have helped the school plant and grow a garden and provide a healthy snack every afternoon during recess.

Students at the school walk every morning and lunch, either in the gym or out around the field in the playground. Friday fitness events are planned throughout the year, with parents and community being invited to come and walk or run with the students.

For those runs, they use either the field, or streets around the neighborhood block, "with the danger of cars, dogs and limited supervision making the run not entirely ideal," the spokesperson said. "With the walking path, one teacher will be able to successfully watch all students on a safe, level walking surface and effectively measure distances walked."

Bids are currently being taken on the project, and fundraising plans are being laid.

Included in the project are plans for benches edging the field, picnic tables near the cafeteria and replacement of a dilapidated set of stairs on the playground slide.

Those combined efforts are expected to cost approximately $18,000.

The boosters have already funded repainting of the lines for the outdoor basketball court, the addition of hopscotch and foursquare game areas, and a conflict ladder for "healthy conflict resolution."

As soon as weather permits, the projects will get underway. Future funding from the Boosters has been agreed on for the walking path, with proceeds coming from both last year's, and this year's upcoming auction.

Anyone willing to help out with the walking path and school projects in any way are encouraged to call Jacque Black at 845-2252 or Brandi Lisle at 845-2042.

The annual Bruneau Booster Club Auction, slated for Saturday, Feb. 26, at American Legion Post 83 on Belle Avenue in Bruneau, will help pay for the project.

The annual event, open to the public, features a free dinner of roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, a roll, punch and coffee. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and followed by live and silent auctions at 6 p.m. Pie by the slice will be available for $1 each for dessert.

Kyle Colyer and Dick Strickland will serve as auctioneers.

The auction draws a wide variety of goods and services donated by local businessmen and a significant number of handmade items made by craftsmen in the area.

The boosters use the proceeds to pay for the city of Bruneau's street lights and to provide a scholarship to a graduating senior every year. They also fund improvements to the city park and provide financial assistance to community members for a variety of reasons.

Booster members are currently seeking donations and volunteers for the auction. For more information or to make a donation, contact Judy McBride at (208) 845-2842 or Ginny Roeder at (208) 845-2282.