As Ponoka Elementary School gathers momentum toward moving into its new building for the next school year, staff and parent council members have decided a new playground is also in order.
“We just wanted to have something for the other side of our new building,” said Lois Spate, principal.
No timeline or budget has been set and the project won’t be further discussed until March.
Mecca Glen has also started the long journey to replace every wooden structure of its current playground; the metal structures will remain.
“It’s just been something that’s been in the back of our minds for a couple years now,” said Al Libby, Mecca Glen’s principal.
Last year the school’s parent council hired a consultant to inspect the wooden playground; rot, deep cracks and exposed bolts were discovered. “It’s just finally come down to ‘time’s up’,” said Libby.
While no definite timeline has been set, Libby expects construction of the new playground to begin no later than the fall of 2015.
The school is looking at a $75,000 budget and has been in contact with four playground construction companies to see what they could get with that money.
“We’re going to have to do some fundraising . . . applying for grants,” said Libby. “It’s not going to be an easy task. We’re just exploring out options.”