N O R T H E R N G U I L F O R D M I D D L E S C H O O L
Greensboro, NC
Over the past two years we have had the pleasure of working with Lori Benshoff of Carolina Shade Sails, in the planning, designing, production, and installation of an Outdoor Learning Center at Northern Guilford Mid-dle School. Lori made multiple trips to the site throughout the two years to check the site and help determine the best location for the Outdoor Learning Center, with its position to the sun, in order to maximize the shade that the structure provides, and to check on the project as it progressed. Lori was very prompt in returning emails, and was very diligent in working with contractors to ensure that the project was completed on a timely manner, and was completed with excellence, and to our satisfaction.
The structure is made of four steel columns, anchored in concrete and rebar, that support a shade sail. The steel columns are finished in a high gloss automotive grade paint in a beautiful shade of purple, while the shade sail is a cool silver, representing our school colors. Lori was invaluable in helping us to find a custom color that we felt would best represent the school, and would also be the most durable paint choice for a school appli-cation. We were given a paint sample of the column and were pleased with the look, and the columns arrived shortly thereafter. The columns were scratched in a few places during the shipping from Florida, but Lori and Carolina Shade Sails were very quick and diligent to have the columns touched up and given a satisfactory coat-ing. The high gloss paint looks fantastic in the sun, and compliments are often given by school visitors.
Our teachers, staff, and most importantly our students love the facility. Under the shade sail the 30’ x 30’ concrete base and temperature remain 10-15 degrees cooler in the warm months thanks to the UV protection provided by the shade sail. This is an excellent venue for outside education, and an asset to our school and com-munity. We are very satisfied with the work that Lori and Carolina Shade Sails has put into this project and would absolutely recommend them for future projects. Our Outdoor Learning Center is a one of a kind in our county and in this region and we are thrilled that from concept to creation, the process was seamless thanks to the service provided by Lori and Carolina Shade Sails.
Sincerely,
The staff of Northern Guilford Middle School