With student bodies in Estevan growing steadily, playground equipment at the city's elementary schools must keep pace.
St. Mary's School is dealing with issue of equipment for its students as they near the end of their fundraising campaign for new equipment for the playground.
Nadine Linthicum, of the school's community council, has been involved in the fundraiser since it started in 2011, and she said the school's growing number of students is the main concern for the current playground set-up.
"What we have is in good shape, but the reason we decided to start the fundraiser is just the capacity," said Linthicum. "There's just not enough equipment for the number of kids we have now."
The school has increased its population in the last few years after incorporating pre-kindergarten as well as experiencing the regular growth in school size that others are seeing in Estevan. Linthicum said the equipment is fairly new, but is meant to accommodate a school of about 100-student capacity, while St. Mary's now has about 250 students.
St. Mary's and the SCC are looking to purchase a primary play structure, which will be accompanied by a few tire swings. There are already tire swings at the school, but Linthicum said they are very popular and they could use more.
"There are a couple of tire swings at the school now, but they actually have a class list for you can play on the tire swings because they're so popular. Each day a different grade gets the tire swings. It would be nice not to have to limit them on that."
The main play structure will include some slides and climbing equipment.
The school is hosting its next fundraiser Feb. 1 and is getting the students involved with a dance-a-thon.
The event is part of the SCC's plan to promote wellness and allow the students to participate in the fundraiser for their new equipment. Linthicum said the students had input on what they wanted from the new equipment, and unsurprisingly, tire swings were on the top of their list.
"Tire swings was by far the biggest request, and through the last year and a half we've had kids come and ask, 'How's that coming along?' And they're very curious as to what's going on."
The new equipment will add to what is already on the school's property so the students should have plenty to do outside without having to sign up for its use.
The students have been raising pledges for the Feb. 1 dance-a-thon and grades will be taking turns showing off their moves throughout the day.
Once the dance-a-thon is completed, Linthicum said they'll see how much they have in the pot and try to buy the biggest play structure that is available in their price range. They are taking into consideration costs of shipping and any groundwork as well.
So far the school has raised $31,665, and they have a goal to push that number closer to $40,000.
She noted they received a community grant for $10,000 from the Spectra Foundation, and there is a caveat that those dollars must be spent by this March. She said they may have one final fundraiser but nothing yet is planned.
"We thought we'd at least get the equipment bought, and if we can maybe do one more fundraiser before the end of the year for the groundwork in the fall (we may do that)," added Linthicum.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the new equipment may contact the school by calling 634-3541.
