Students at École Steffie Woima Elementary School could be having fun climbing and playing on a brand new playground when they start school in September.
Colleen Watson, chairman of the school’s parent advisory society and a member of the playground fundraising committee, said once funding is in place things should move along quickly.
Approval has not yet been received for a matching $63,000 Community Facility Enhancement Program grant.
“We’re still waiting on those funds,” she said. A decision as to the approval of the grant may not be revealed until the end of March.
However, much progress has been made to come up with matching funds and the fundraising society is optimistic about having the playground completed this year.
Watson said TD Bobcat has donated the groundwork for the project and Rona and Lafarge have agreed to supply 50 per cent of materials at no cost.
“We are very grateful for their help. We also have a number of private donations.”
Volunteers worked a casino to raise funds and letters of support have been received from the Town of Sylvan Lake and Chinook’s Edge School Division.
“We have a fantastic team of people involved in this,” said Watson.
The need for a new playground was determined a few years ago.
“The school increased by 100 students last year and the two playgrounds it has now are in rough shape,” she said.
Playground equipment from the existing playgrounds at Steffie Woima has been removed due to increased safety standards and increased repair costs.
The new playground, which includes slides and climbing apparatus can accommodate about 130 youngsters. Once equipment is on site, it can be erected in five days.
Donations for the playground will be gratefully accepted. For more information contact Colleen Watson at crw4@shaw.ca.