The funds are in place for work to start on an inclusive playground at an Okotoks elementary school. Highwood MLA Wayne Anderson presented on Friday a $125,000 Community Facility Enhancement Program grant to the Dr. Morris Gibson School council to go towards an estimated $250,000 to $300,000 new playground. Kenda Goyette, a member of the Gibson school council, has a child at the school and another who recently graduated from the K-Grade 6 school. She said the present 25-year-old playground has served its purpose. “The playground has been lots of fun, but every year you hear that something is broken on it,” Goyette said. “We have tried as a council to replace items but because it is an older structure, we couldn’t add on to it without replacing the whole thing.” While the playground provided fun for students, the new playground will ensure as many students as possible can join in on that fun. “It is going to be really important to have every kid from the school enjoy it,” Goyette said. “There are going to be lots of ramps so everyone can get up onto it. “All the wheelchairs can get out here. The walkers will have no issues. “It’s a big structure.” There are also plans for new swings that will be inclusive to all students. The gravel on the ground will be removed and replaced with “engineered wood-fibre” as well as some rubberized ground will be placed in key areas such as under the swings. She said they are hoping to begin work on the playground in the spring — with the help of some experts on playground equipment. “We want to get some of the kids input on some items that they would like to see in the playground,” Goyette said. “We have a couple different plans, so maybe we can get some votes… We really want them to help us.” At present, the council has raised approximately $237,000. It’s been done through hard work, sweat and maybe a pepper or two. The council has fundraised for more than five years, those efforts included putting in a few stints in the Okotoks ChiliFest. The fundraising work continues. For information on how to donate to the Dr. Gibson School playground email [email protected]
