Community rallies to replace oldest playground in Lethbridge

Some might say getting slivers are a childhood rite of passage, but parents, teachers and students at Ecole Agnes Davidson elementary school can all agree it’s time for a playground upgrade.

“The wood is starting to wear, so kids are getting slivers,” playground fundraising committee member Jackie May said, as she surveyed the wooden playground.

“Some of the metal pieces have already broken, so they’ve taken them out,” May said. “Most of the boards need to be replaced…they can’t keep up the maintenance.”

READ MORE: Putting playground accessibility first

The playground at Ecole Agnes Davidson is the oldest wooden structure in Lethbridge and is slated for demolition.

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“Safety is the No. 1 priority,” principal Broc Higginson said. “We’re excited that it will no longer be a concern for us.”

With just over 700 students and a large surrounding community, the school is in dire need of a new jungle gym. But the structure comes with a hefty price tag.

“It’s not a small feat to raise $600,000 in order to replace a playground,” Higginson said. “People always say, ‘I can’t believe how much it is,’ but that’s the reality.”

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The proposed playground will be state of the art.

“The rubber tiling can accommodate kids with any kind of mobility issues,” May said. “It’s also been accessible for really young kids.”

The dragon-themed structure is designed to emphasize physical activity.

“It will have lots of rope, lots of climbing structures,” May said. “It will be really physical, lots of playing and jumping.”

The new playground will allow kids to get out, get fresh air and learn.

“When you get outside and have fun, that’s when you learn a lot of those problem-solving skills,” said Higginson.  “Kids learn how to deal with conflict, how to deal with others.”

So far, the parent-driven playground funding committee has raised close to $35,000 and has received a $200,000 grant from the City of Lethbridge. The group is hopeful they will raise the remaining funds through provincial grants, corporate donations and many more bingo nights.