Red Deer County has denied a request from the town's Parent Advisory Council to support the cost of the planned $348,740 playground project at the Innisfail Schools Campus.
The search for funding of the playground project made its way to Red Deer County council on Jan. 28. The written request was submitted by county resident Janine Gerrard, who is also a member of the Parent Advisory Council (PAC), and Jackie Taylor, principal of John Wilson Elementary School.
ìI was disappointed when I heard that the county had denied our request for funding support,î said Erin Flewelling of the PAC. ìJanine Gerrard sent our request for financial support expecting that Red Deer County would partner with us.î
Flewelling said the decision is also disappointing when considering that a large number of Innisfail school students are county residents. ìPerhaps they (Red Deer County Council) need more information,î said Flewelling, adding her group has so far raised $50,000 for the project.
But county council members expressed serious reservations about supporting the playground project, noting the rural municipality had already contributed $300,000 to the cost of the new gymnasium at the Innisfail Schools Campus.
ìWe do recognize that it is important for communities to have safe playgrounds,î said Wood. ìHowever, in this case we have already invested county funds into the school and the playground is part of the school. Red Deer County Council has every confidence that the Innisfail group will build the two phases with support from the community.î
But Coun. Philip Massier said one option was to support the project with a reduced level of funding.
ìI support playgrounds for children and communities,î said Massier. ìAs a county we have supported various recreation facilities and perhaps we should look at becoming a partial sponsor for $10,000 in recognition that county ratepayer families do attend those schools.î
Coun. Richard Lorenz added there were provincial grants available that could be used as possible funding sources for the Innisfail Shared Playground project.
Mark Kemball, Innisfail councilor, said town council has been approached by the PAC and he said its request for support is being considered.
The playground project comprises two phases of construction, the first of which is a ëwinter wonderland' set and a freestanding octopus climber priced out at $105,254. The second phase proposes ëOur lady of the Evergreens' for a subtotal of $243,486. Rubber surfacing of the play area comprises $91,884 of the $348,740 total.
Sandy Bexon, communications officer with the Chinook's Edge School Division, said there are about 250 students, about 20 per cent of the total Innisfail student population, who are residents of Red Deer County.
Kurt Sacher, the division's superintendent, said no government funds are provided for school playground equipment with larger projects, such as the current and upcoming construction at the Innisfail Schools Campus.
ìI am thrilled that the schools are working together to make this happen,î added Sacher. ìFor any project over $20,000 school board approval is required and as a division we did vote to support the playground.
ìWe do know they did not request funds from the division knowing that we would not be able to help,î added Sacher.
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys reported that about 145 of their 300 students are county-based.
ìThe importance of structured play is part of educating the complete child,î said school principal Ryan Sawula, emphasizing both Chinook's Edge and Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools are co-operating to make the project a reality. ìCompletion of the playground would go a long way to enhance our schools. ì
Sawula went on to say that the playground is not just a school park but also an important play hub for Innisfail. He added families could use the park every day of the week.
The planned expansion funding request of the shared playground follows on the heels of the two-phased multi-million dollar modernization and expansion project at the Chinook's Edge School Division's Innisfail Schools Campus. The area includes John Wilson elementary, Innisfail Middle School, Innisfail Junior/Senior High and St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School from the Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools system.
The $6.9-million first phase includes expansion and new infrastructure--including a pedway, a new high school gym, a bus loop, and a new library space for Innisfail Middle School. The $12-million second phase, announced last month, will go to modernizing the infrastructure needs of …cole John Wilson Elementary School.
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