New Agora School Update

The metal frame went up, with the use of cranes, a week ago and since scafolding has gone up hiding the entire structure. It's quite a thrill walking by there watching the work in progress. As the present AGORA is only 2oo yards away I am often at the site walking around with my hard hat on!

New AGORA (completion by 11/30/2005)
The purpose of this blog is to keep family, friends, and all those who have and continue to have an influence on AGORA's evolution updated to the progress of this big project.

In late 2004 we took the big leep and purchased land (760 sq. meters) in downtown Fukushima in order to build a new school (photo at right). We had been renting space in a run-down building since 1996 and decided that it was time to build and own something of our own specifications. It is more of a first step, than expansion, towards establishing AGORA as Fukushima's top-notch institution for language study and cultural interaction.

This photo was taken in June. The land had to be cleared of five buildings and it took about six weeks before it returned to a 'virgin' state. Getting estimates for this job was actually quite interesting! We were originally told that the cost would be at least 16,000,000 JPY (aprox. 180,000$cdn) for the demolition including recycling and disposal of all debris. As it turned out we were getting bids from different companies and they started a bidding war among themselves. The final result left me grinning from ear to ear!

Job well done!! The enclosed area at the back with trees will be landscaped in a mediteranean style with, of course, touches of Canada. There is even a pomegrenate tree producing fruit! I will have to put my hand to making real "sirop de grenadine!" The other trees include a palm, a laurel, an very tall holly, and a sweet olive tree (osmanthus fragrans). The sandy area will be covered by a lawn and will act as a playground for the children in the mornings and a garden "pour les grands" in the afternoons (and BBQ area in the evenings!!).