Funds are being raised to build Red Deer’s second and largest barrier-free playground in Central Alberta.
The Rotary Club of Red Deer and the City of Red Deer have joined forces to construct a fully accessible playground structure at the Mattie McCullough Elementary School site in Lonsdale.
“A person living with a disability can go and play on all the pieces of equipment. It’s just not possible at other typical playgrounds. There may be one or two apparatuses that are barrier free, but this entire playground will be accessible,” said Shelley Gagnon, the city’s Recreation, Parks & Culture manager.
The projected cost of the project is approximately $500,000 and will be funded solely through the Rotary Club.
The city is responsible for the approval of the playground’s design and installation and the ongoing operations and maintenance of the play structure.
The Rotary Club is currently in the middle of fundraising and are hoping to begin construction by the summer of 2017. If the project is started on time, it is expected to be completed in late 2018.