The Heller Center hosts what is known as the “outdoor classroom” on its grounds. Built by Professor Matt Barton and his students, it is a multi-purpose space in the immediate vicinity of the former SEAS Garden area. The space has become a significant draw for faculty and students. It has served as an outdoor classroom, a space to create, and a performance venue often used by members of the VAPA community. The outdoor classroom was constructed of locally sourced and sustainable materials. A significant part of its structure eroded - specifically large wooden poles that held up the “shade sails” rotted at the base. The funding was to replace these poles with engineer approved metal poles specifically designed for the space. The importance of these changes to the function of the space cannot be underestimated. Without the shade sails, the classroom becomes unusable for much of the year during the day (as the sun at Heller is punishing). Similarly, at night, evening performances become impossible as the poles serve to support lighting instruments. In essence, if the poles were not replaced, the outdoor classroom, which is so valuable to the school, will fall entirely into disuse.