Some four years after the idea was first conceived, the new playground at the Mecca Glen School was inaugurated with a ceremony with the participation of students, parents, staff and dignitaries following the school wind-up at the school gym on Friday, June 24.
The playground was constructed entirely by volunteers in the community with equipment purchased by the Playground Committee.
The total cost of the new playground bordered almost $110,000 with a huge fundraising effort undertaken by parents bringing some matching funding from both provincial and municipal governments.
But according to Janny Liebeton, head of the Playground Committee and the spearhead for the project, the top marks go to the county. “They were awesome,” she said. “They gave us $45,000.” Provincial government also chipped in with $19,000 from Community Enhancement Facility and the rest took many auctions, spaghetti suppers and hot lunches to gather.
Playground committee said it took them just over two years to gather the rest of the necessary funding.
Liebeton was grateful to all neighbouring communities and businesses operating there for donating auction items and supporting their cause in various other ways.
“From Bashaw to Ponoka to Wetaskiwin, we received great support and we are grateful,” she said.