Westgate CVI has received a donation that is enhancing automotive education.
The estate of retired Lakehead Public Schools teacher Brian MacDonald has donated his accessible van.
“It’s just a great opportunity for our students at Westgate,” said the Chair of Technology at Westgate, Blaine Hill. “The van is in wonderful shape, we’re going to have a lot of learning on it.”
The van is equipped with a hydraulic handicap lift, so students will also be able to learn how to operate and maintain it.
“It is a hands-on experience for our students, this is how they learn,” explained Hill. “When the community donates a vehicle to us, we spend time servicing it, taking it apart, putting it back together and these are how the students learn.”
The van will be used by students in the high-skills specialist transportation program.
“These students encounter a higher level of learning, something that they would experience at the college level,” added Hill. “This is the first time in about 5 years we’ve had a vehicle at this level donated to the school, so it’s a real great opportunity for the students to learn.”
Students will have an opportunity to perform regular maintenance on the van, like tire rotations, brake servicing, suspension, and more.
