Fundraising is underway to upgrade an aging Innisfail school playground and make it the first handicap-accessible playground in town.
The parent advisory council for Chinook Centre School wants to install a poured rubber playground surface for wheelchair access and replace old play equipment.
“If we’re going to do it, we might as well do it so everyone can benefit from it. That’s what excites me about the project,” said Katia Brosseau, president of the parent advisory council.
The playground isn’t just for students at the year-round kindergarten to Grade 4 school – it’s open to everyone, she said.
On Monday, Brosseau said interlocking rubber tiles that currently cover the playground’s asphalt are about 10 years old and cracking. Nowadays, safety requires a thicker absorbent play surface. More equipment for young and handicapped children are also needed.
The council is hoping a $70,000 grant from Alberta Lottery’s Community Facility Enhancement program will be approved for the $135,000 project in October and work can begin this year.
“Even if we don’t get it, we’re trying to upgrade the playground with the money we’ve fundraised.”
Since last year, parents and children have raised $18,000 and they are trying to raise another $28,000.
They recently collected $2,800 from bottle drive and a fundraising campaign focusing on friends, family and neighbours brought in $3,000.
The playground committee is meeting this week to develop more fundraising projects, possibly a dinner and dance with a silent auction.
Donations can be taken to the school or mailed to Chinook Centre School, 4931-52nd St., Innisfail, Alta., T4G 1W6. Tax receipts are available.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com