Oakville school has received a much-needed upgrade of equipment in their gymnasium. With a generous donation from Portage Mutual Insurance, the space now has a state-of-the-art sound system. This upgrade comes in response to the challenges faced by the school with its outdated audio equipment, which was originally a second-hand donation.
Samantha Sabourin and Matthew Boschman of Portage Mutual Insurance were invited to attend an assembly this past Tuesday where they accepted two awards of thanks from the staff and students at the school.
Sabourin is the accounts payable manager for the company and an active member of the Oakville School parent council, and she spearheaded the initiative.
“The old sound system was unreliable, often requiring wires to be run across the gym,” she explained. “The situation was becoming increasingly problematic for events and daily use, so we knew we needed a solution.”
During a parent council meeting in June, Sabourin and other members discussed the pressing need for a new sound system. The school had multiple projects vying for funding, including a new gym floor, making it clear that additional support was necessary. Recognizing Portage Mutual's commitment to community involvement, Sabourin brought the matter to the company's senior leadership team, presenting a compelling case for the donation.
The board voted in favor of the project, and Portage Mutual agreed to fund the entire installation of the new system.
“It’s fantastic to see a local business step up and support our school in such a meaningful way, the new system will enhance not just the gym experience but will also benefit the entire community.”
Mark Sokolowski, Principal of Oakville school, expressed his gratitude for the donation.
“The previous system had served us well, but it was definitely showing its age. The new sound system is Bluetooth-enabled and state-of-the-art, which will allow our students to enjoy high-quality audio for concerts, presentations, and daily activities for years to come.”
With the new system in place, Oakville School is looking forward to upcoming events, including their Christmas concert and Remembrance Day service, where the improved sound quality will surely enhance the experience for staff, students and attendees.