Thanks to a significant grant from the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation, Westview School in Estevan is able to proceed with its new inclusive playground.
Westview learned recently that it would receive $25,000 through the foundation for the playground. Members of the foundation’s board were impressed that Westview was looking to build such a playground structure.
A Grade 1 student at the school is in a wheelchair, and Westview principal Cheri Haberstock wants the student to be able to spend as much time on the playground structure as possible.
“I’m looking forward to when she can go up on that equipment for the first time,” said Haberstock. “It’s going to be amazing.”
Jacquie Mvula, who is a member of the Estevan Kinettes Club and the Telemiracle Foundation board, heard about the plans for the inclusive playground through the media, and contacted Haberstock about the structure and whether Westview had applied for a Telemiracle grant.
“She sent me the application,” said Haberstock. “We took a look at it, and we actually revised our original playground plan to make it even more wheelchair accessible.”
The foundation has been fantastic to work with.
“The fact that they approached us and asked us if this was, indeed, for children who have disabilities (was terrific), because that’s something they really want to support,” said Haberstock. “I know Jacquie went to bat for us, and at that meeting, she lobbied for us to get money, and they were very, very generous.”
As part of the changes to the playground structure, the wheelchair-accessible ramp will be extended, and there will be more for children to do on the ramp. A wood surface will be installed underneath that will make it more wheelchair-friendly than sand.
Haberstock noted there is also a Triumph Climber on the structure. While it is good for all children, it can be used for children with mobility issues.
Westview has also received a work-in-kind donation from Glen Peterson Construction, who will supply the necessary concrete and construction equipment.
Prior to the grant from Telemiracle, Westview had $38,651.59 for the playground; the donation from the foundation elevated the total to more than $63,000. They are about $12,000 short of the projected cost of $75,000.
“We are so close to our goal, we are going to go ahead and do it,” said Haberstock.
The original cost of the inclusive playground was $60,000, but the changes lifted the projected expenses to $75,000.
Westview has also applied to Affinity Credit Union’s community foundation, and the school is hopeful they will get some, or all, the money they need. If they don’t get the full $12,000, they will continue to fundraise for the equipment.
“I really want this installed for the next school year,” said Haberstock.
Westview has already put down a 50 per cent deposit for the equipment, and the order has been made. They hope the equipment will arrive by August.
The school announced plans to build the inclusive playground in 2014. They have embarked on an extensive fundraising campaign, with a fundraiser nearly every month of the school year.
“We have a very dedicated group of school community council members, but it’s very tiring to work this hard to raise so much money,” said Habertstock. “And we’re a small, small school.”
The school will purchase three pieces of coated steel and plastic playground equipment. The largest piece will have numerous attributes, including the wheelchair ramp.
There will also be medium-sized equipment, and a smaller structure called the Cozy Cocoon, which is popular with students who have autism.
Westview has several students with autism spectrum disorder.
“We were so far from our goal, I never thought we would make this a reality for years,” said Haberstock. “I was thinking if this was going to take us six years. The fact that we can do it in two is amazing.”
Haberstock is proud that once the equipment is installed, Westview will be the only school in the city with such a play structure.
