ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — When students return to Robertsdale High Aug. 10, there will be something new — a new brick courtyard and a brick bench just outside the school’s lunchroom.

Volunteers will be doing some landscaping later, but for right now, there’s 900 square feet of brick courtyard, and a brick bench for students to sit on will be constructed this week. It will give outdoor lunch students a new place to sit, relax and remember.

“We still have to build the 65-foot long brick seating wall,” explained David Wilson, owner of David Wilson Masonry Inc. He was assisted by his sons, David II, Brent and Brad.

The project was one of the first fruits from the Robertsdale High Parent Teacher Student Organization. Karen Carnley has served as the organization’s first president.

“The PTSO chose this as a first project,” said Carnley. “We wanted people to see something and say, ‘The PTSO did that.’ There are a few tables in the courtyard. We just wanted the kids to have a nice place to sit.”

The “bricks” (actually, they are concrete pavers designed to look like red brick) contain messages from mostly past students. One brick, however, was spotted in the mosaic that was from a member of the class of 2014. Carnley estimates that the project all told cost around $12,000.

“We’ve had all sorts of stories come in (with orders for the bricks) said Carnley. Bricks can be added to the patio or purchased for what Carnley calls “Phase 2” of the construction, which will build another landscaped courtyard next to the new court yard. Carnley added that volunteers will be landscaping around the courtyard later. If you’d like to order a brick, contact Carnley at kcarnley@gulftel.com

The bricks are in a bed of sand, but it “will take a special tool” to get the bricks out of their bed, said Wilson.

The site is inviting and students wishing to take their lunch outdoors will be glad of the new seating area. Seeing messages from students from years past will provide inspiration to today’s student’s, some believe.

“This gives students an example of the heritage shared by the Robertsdale High School community, both past and present,” said Teddy Mitchell, an assistant principal at RHS.

For Carnley, “Seeing the whole plan” after three years.” is a treat. She gave thanks to Michael and Theresa Lysek, the vice-president and secretary of the PTSO respectively, for their help in bringing the project to completion.

The project has had some complications. The original contractor backed out, and a new contractor had to be found.

“Michael stepped in and spearheaded the effort,” said Carnley. “It was a real collaborative effort.”