Red Deer County council was all smiles Tuesday morning when three young girls from Poplar Ridge School requested just over $15,000 to help with a playground build for their school and community.“This is the new playground,” explained one of three Grade 2 girls when a design for the new playground was projected on the overhead screen. “It looks fun and safe.” The girls explained the current playground is too old, small and causes too many splinters.The new playground, which would be located on the school site, will replace the current one which has rotting timbers and a diminishing gravel base, a report explains. As well, some of the equipment has been removed and the playground is now too small for the 160 kindergarten to Grade 6 students and surrounding community members.The total cost for the new playground and reconstructed playground border and base comes in at just over $37,000. The Parent Advisory Committee and the school will pay for 57 per cent of the overall cost, or $21,215.33.Council agreed to draw the money from municipal reserves.“This is our community and our kids,” said Div. 3 Coun. Penny Archibald. “Adults pay the taxes. We have an obligation to them.”
