Pleasantdale School has found a receptive community eager to ensure the city's youth have an outlet for their high energy.
Last week the school received the final donation needed to purchase new playground equipment. The current playground for the Grade 3 to 5 students has been showing its age for some time, and it was determined last year that it just wouldn't do for the school's children.
After minor fundraising over the winter, the school campaigned harder this spring with a number of fundraisers as they strived toward a goal of $95,000. Enbridge supplied the final $10,000 needed on June 20 with a cheque presentation to the Grade 3 class and principal Michelle Smart.
She said she is relieved to reach the total, but donations rolled in, in a timely fashion.
"It started slow last year, but things really picked up since February," she said.
The new play structure has now been purchased and the workers are just waiting to start. Once classes end for the summer the old play structure, which has been used by students at the school for more than 20 years, will be removed and the new one installed in time for the beginning of the next school year.
The old structure of wood, metal bars and climbing chains will be replaced with a modern playground, presenting more opportunities for the students looking to climb and slide as well as being a safer structure.
On Sept. 5, Pleasantdale will host an unveiling of the new play structure.
The fundraising campaign took advantage of community connections, with students at the Estevan Comprehensive School designing a wishing well for the school. It was placed in the Estevan Shoppers Mall where donations could be dropped in. They also raised money at Hard Knocks 31 in March, with two students putting on a jiu-jitsu demonstration in the ring. The Fighting for Funds fundraiser brought in more than $3,200.
The new playground is going to be used by students in Grades 3 to 5, and the school has another playground that's still in good condition and used by others at the school.
