The creation of the Lantern studio, the new building addition to the ELC, is a keen topic of interest in the Cathedral neighbourhood. People walk by and stop to watch, or drive by slowly to see what's going on.

The project is also a great source of curriculum for the children and their teachers. From the initial step of clearing the site to the erection of the steel frame, the children have been observing and documenting the process. The project started last spring shortly after the kick off to the capital campaign.

The first step was to clear the site. The children experienced some regret when they saw their climbing frame removed but regret quickly changed to excitement as they saw real life tools and equipment – cranes and bobcats – being put to use outside the classroom windows

The children have had a first-hand view of the world of construction and learned many new words to add to their vocabularies. Each day brought change. For a while, the steel frame looked like lines drawn in the air. Now the wall panels have enclosed the space and the concrete floor has been poured.

Expected completion date of the Lantern is the end of February. Then the furnishing of the studio with art materials and equipment will begin and re-landscaping planned.

As the work progresses and more interest is generated among the children, the teachers and the community, the Lantern will continue to shine a light on social concerns of equity and the need to develop quality resources for young children and their families. It will also illuminate the rich potential society has in its youngest citizens.

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As one of the children explained, Those are the structions so he will know what to build."