Forty used bikes donated to KidSport Tri-Cities are now in good working condition and will be up for sale next month thanks to skilled students at Riverside secondary.
The seven students at the Port Coquitlam high school's Bicycle Maintenance and Repair Course — a full-credit program started last year by teacher Christine Hilliard, with the help of instructors Giovanni Vorrvloi and Vera Rushton — took in the donated wheels for repair last semester.
Bicycles of every shape and size were throughly inspected — from the cock pit to the back brakes — and assessed for safety. And the ones that passed the test for public use will be returned to the local charity for its biannual sale of used sporting goods, happening on March 4 at Riverside secondary.
As part of their course, the students will also volunteer for at least four hours at the event.
"It's been a great partnership," said Chris Wilson, executive director of KidSport Tri-Cities.
Hilliard estimates the value of the students' labour for KidSport this season at around $1,200.
Aidan Dandy, 15, said he has enjoyed the class as it has given him the know-how to fix his own mountain bike. As well, "we learn about team work," Michael Matheson added.
Beside KidSport, the students also worked once a week with Australian bike technician Ryan Gardiner of Caps Westwood Cycle and with a city youth official; the class has also cleaned up bikes for a Syrian refugee family in need, Hilliard said.
Tool donations and other supplies for the program have come in from KMS Tools, Lordco and the BC Innovation Council, she said.
The aim of the course is "to give them some employment skills," said Hilliard, a former French immersion teacher. "We want them to problem solve. And, with KidSport, it's a good way for them to give back to the community."
Meanwhile, KidSport Tri-Cities will accept used sporting goods from Feb. 24 to March at the following locations:
• Port Coquitlam recreation complex (2150 Wilson Ave., Port Coquitlam);
• Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.);
• Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam);
• and Riverside secondary (2215 Reeve St., Port Coquitlam).
Presented by Westminster Savings and sponsored in part by The Tri-City News, the KidSport sale runs at Riverside secondary on March 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is by donation or with a non-perishable item for the Share food bank. Visit kidsporttricities.ca.
