A Play Place for Everyone
When it was time to replace playground equipment, JW Inglis Elementary School's PAC took on a big job - fundraising for the $68,000 necessary to build it. Paula Harned, whose children don't yet attend school, took on the role of Fundraising Director for the PAC, and set out on the task of raising almost $60,000 over what they already had in the coffers.
“We had several groups like the Lions, the Legion, and of course many businesses and members of the community support us by buying cookie dough, wrapping paper and everything else we kept throwing at them,” says Paula, “We also received generous donations of items from Agro Road Maintenance, Rouck Brothers Sawmill, Paragon Forest Products, Sheardown's Foodliner and Green Ridge Building Supplies for our silent auction.”
Paula says that although they had a lot of support from businesses and organizations in the community, they applied to the Community Foundation for the $6,700 to complete the project, which they were granted. “We looked to the Community Foundation because it seemed to be a natural fit,” says Paula, “Our school is near the center of the community for everyone and because it will be available for use by everyone.”
The structure is divided into three sections – one for primary children, one for intermediate aged children, and the Participark portion of the structure which is designed for ages up to adults providing strength, endurance and flexibility stations. Paula says that in the many times she has driven by the playground, it is almost always occupied by people of all ages. “This has truly become a place where the community comes together."
