Former Montrose Elementary Principal Terry Black, being honored today by the Bexley Celebrations Association as Bexley's 2007 Citizen of the Year, will also be remembered by way of an outdoor classroom to be built and dedicated in his name.

The Terry Black Outdoor Learning Center, an idea born in the wake of Black announcing his retirement last spring, was the brainchild of members of the Montrose Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization.

It will be a specially built classroom located next to the baseball field behind Montrose Elementary near Remington Road.

The concept of the outdoor classroom is to be a place where students can gather and enjoy school activities outside, under shelter, and where teachers could enhance their academic experiences in all areas.

"It's a marvelous idea, a great tribute, and I'm happy they are going to be honoring him in this way," said Bexley parent Cassandra Andorka, whose two sons attend Montrose, Charlie in third grade, and Jymi in first.

"Mr. Black made a great impression on me when I was a freshman in high school in 1977 when he was the assistant principal," she said.

"He just has that true charismatic caring way about him. He can connect with the children, and I just think a lot of him -- everybody does."

PTO past President Kim Kirtland, a member of the outdoor learning center committee, said the total construction cost is estimated at $12,500.

"We're still in the process of fundraising for it right now and I think certainly it can happen," Kirtland said.

She said they will be meeting with the city's Main Street Redevelopment Commission sometime in August to seek approval of plans for the facility. Then it would go to Bexley City Council for final approval.

She said if the volunteers raise enough money for it and get all the approvals, they expect to begin construction next summer.

"The goal is to have it happen next year," Kirtland said.

"This is a way to honor a person that has touched so many lives in the city of Bexley and at Montrose, and he has been a source of inspiration. Kids and parents love him," she said.

All donations to the Terry Black Learning Center are tax deductible and can be mailed to Montrose Elementary c/o Catherine Du Puy at P.O. Box 91094, Columbus, 43209.

All checks must be made payable to Bexley City Schools with the words "Terry Black Outdoor Learning Center" in the memo section.