Balmoral Hall gets major new addition

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This article was published 11/02/2020 (2295 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Balmoral Hall School has been around since 1901.

The well-established school in the heart of the city offers comprehensive girls’ education emphasizing science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The independent day and boarding school has 500 students from child care to Grade 12.

Balmoral Hall is celebrating a new addition to its well-established facility. The grand opening of the Benidickson Centre for Arts & Design held last week was made possible by the contributions of 575 private donors.

“The Benidickson Centre for Arts & Design donors include alumnae and their families, board of governors members, present and past employees, as well as current students, their parents, and their grandparents,” said communications specialist, Jennifer J. Pawluk. “We are delighted to have received historic support and engagement from the Balmoral Hall School community with individual gifts ranging from $10 to more than $1 million.”

“Nearly six years ago now, Kristjan & Shirley Benidickson were among the first to share our belief in igniting a girl’s creativity by offering her a space to inspire imagination,” Pawluk continued. “The Benidicksons speak with pride about their daughter, Kirsten, Class of 2018, Kristjan’s mother, Agnes M. (Richardson) Benidickson, Riverbend Grade 11 Class of 1937, and their family’s support throughout school history,” Pawluk said, adding that many more generous donors were recognized at the grand opening, including Balmoral Hall Parent Association, which contributed $250,000 with unanimous support from executive and council members.

The Benidickson Centre for Arts & Design, designed by Verne Reimer Architecture and constructed by M Builds (formerly Manshield Construction) will provide opportunities for early childhood, primary, and secondary girls’ education in performing arts, including vocal and instrumental recording, as well as movement classes; fine arts, graphic design, and video production; virtual and augmented reality, robotics, 3-D modelling, prototype engineering, and more. The centre was designed to complement and enhance instruction, curriculum, and assessment at Balmoral Hall School.

“As students consider how they fit into a world where creativity is one of their greatest assets, Benidickson Centre for Arts & Design is an exceptional hub of teaching and learning,” said head of school Joanne Kamins, who with her husband, Rod is among the 575 donors. “This is where BH girls create, compose, and code. Here, they draw, dance, and design. They are inspired to perform, paint, and produce. The thought that our gift will help students explore their interests in this ever-changing, fast-paced era of innovation is what compelled us to give.”

Those interested in experiencing Benidickson Centre for Arts & Design for themselves are invited to attend an Open House at Balmoral Hall School located at 630 Westminster Ave. on Sat., Feb. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information visit: balmoralhall.com