Ground broken for École Van Belleghem playground

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/06/2016 (3621 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On June 22, local stakeholders and members of the École Van Belleghem community attended a ground-breaking event at the Southdale-based school to celebrate its upcoming playground expansion.

Pam Kolochuk, president of the École Van Belleghem parent advisory council and grants co-ordinator, said the school’s community has raised more than $180,000 for the expansion and the plan is to have the work done by the start of the school year in September.

Part of the funding total came from various sources — $50,000 from the Winnipeg Community Infrastructure Program (WCIP), a $26,000 Community Incentive Grant (CIG), $5,000 from the Winnipeg Foundation, and $1,000 from the Walmart in Southdale.

The balance was raised through school fundraisers, including a rummage sale, pizza days, movie nights, bake sale, cupcake sales, a plant sale, book sales, and a bud, spud and steak event, and two raffles for WestJet tickets.

Kolochuk said the expansion will include a nature-themed playground featuring six elements and will be designed so there is “something for everyone.” As part of the process, Kolochuk said the kids were surveyed and given 20 feature options.