A community fundraiser has been launched to help upgrade the ageing Bracebridge Public School playground.
The initiative, launched by the Bracebridge Public School Playground Committee, is part of an ongoing effort to fully replace the existing playground.
Emily Crowe, communications lead and co-chair of the committee, said the school’s central location makes it a hub of activity, and should reflect that by being accessible to everyone.
“Our playground is over 20 years old, and it’s not an accessible playground,” she said. “We have a lot of needs in our school, and right now some of those kids can’t fully access the playground, as well as in the fall, parts of the playground had to be removed as they didn’t pass the safety inspection.”
Crowe said the school has about 420 students and added a new playground would create a space that fosters physical health, social development, and joy for them today and for generations to come.
According to Crowe, the playground is used not only by students during school hours, but also by the wider community outside of school hours, including summer camps.
“Updating the playground would really promote inclusivity and accessibility for the entire community, not just our students, although our students definitely would benefit and be very excited,” she said.
Tischa Hetherington, school principal, said their goal for the next year and a half is to raise around $300,000.
“The cost is more than our immediate community can raise with standard school fundraising efforts,” she said. “It is a large ticket item, so we are having to reach out to the community and try to engage them in supporting us in attaining the goal.”
Skylar Gostick, communications lead and co-chair of the committee, said there are several ways people can help support the goal. One option is through monetary donations, either by cash or cheque, which can be dropped off at the school office. Cheques must be made payable to the Trillium Lakeland School Board Charitable Trust, with “Bracebridge Public School Playground Project” included in the memo line.
Gostick also said people can reach out to them directly via email at bps.playgroundcommittee@gmail.com to coordinate a donation. A tax receipt will be issued by the school board and mailed to the address on the cheque.
