NORTHFIELD — Outside Northfield Elementary School, Parent-Teacher Organization volunteer Cheryl George watched as a Graves Concrete truck poured the concrete foundation for the school’s new outdoor pavilion.

The pavilion, being assembled in front of the playground, has been in the works for several years, coming to fruition this summer as the last of a series of renovations to the school playground that have included new swings, musical instruments, play structures and an improved shed.

“The idea had been in the works for a while,” said Laura Fries, a PTO volunteer working on the pavilion project. “But we just needed someone to step in and get that grant process over with.”

The new pavilion was made possible thanks to $15,000 from the Northfield Community Preservation Committee and a $15,500 donation from the Northfield Kiwanis Club.

With funding in hand and with help from George and Steve Roberto, a Northfield resident and general contractor with the building expertise needed for such a project, construction began.

“It was really a group effort to get everything set up,” Fries said. Included in that group effort is Tom Walker, superintendent of the Northfield Highway Department who, like Roberto, has provided construction expertise to assist with the build.

More skilled volunteer help is needed to complete the pavilion, however. The PTO has scheduled multiple weekends for locals to assist with the construction. On Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13, wooden posts and beams will be put up to frame the pavilion. The weekend of July 26 is dedicated to the installation of the roof trusses, and the following two weekends will be committed to finishing the roof and ceiling. Food, water and child care will be provided to those who volunteer.

“It’ll be a nice effort,” Roberto said. “People will come together to meet that challenge.”

The pavilion’s grand opening is planned for the annual August ice cream social hosted at Northfield Elementary School before the school year starts. The structure will be open as a community space and outdoor classroom for students.

“I know my kids do better when they’re outside, when they can be hands-on,” Fries noted.

“One of the long-term missions for the school is to have as much outdoor education and [as many] opportunities for our kids as possible,” said Northfield Elementary School Principal Kristen Schreiber. “So the pavilion will be really useful, not just after school for families, but also during the school days for classrooms to use.”

George, who also works as secretary for Northfield Elementary School, knows how important outdoor learning is to both staff and students. This past May, despite heavy rain, one group of students insisted on doing their creative writing assignment outdoors.

“We actually found enough umbrellas for all the kids to do their work,” George recalled. “A lot of classes take their kiddos outside.

“It’s about our community doing what’s best for the kids, and for the teachers and staff, too,” George continued. “When the teachers and staff are in a good atmosphere, it trickles down to the kids.”

For more information about joining the volunteer effort, contact George by email at northfieldelementarypto@gmail.com or by phone at 413-522-0576.