Years of work produces new Lakeview Elementary playground
CEREMONY HELD TO OPEN NEW $500K PLAYGROUND
Lakeview Elementary School staff, parents and students celebrated the grand opening of the school’s new community playground on Friday.
To mark the important achievement, a special ceremony was held in the school gym which featured a special musical performance by the school’s Grade 5 students, speeches by various dignitaries and an emotional recounting of the school’s five-year struggle to get the playground paid for and built.
“It is such a great day,” said Lakeview vice-principal Melanie McMurray, who acted as emcee for the celebration event. “It makes me aware of how much work families have to do to make this happen. We couldn’t have done any of this without community support. We had over $500,000 to raise. Over half was from grants, but the rest of it was from our community, from our families, and even from our kids — all who had to raise a lot of money.”
The playground will not only benefit Lakeview Elementary School students, said Tiffany Hill, president of the Lakeview Community Park Society and chair of the playground committee, but all of the surrounding neighbourhoods as well.
“I hope it allows for families to come and gather, have picnics, play together, and spend time together here,” said Hill. “I am beyond thrilled, and so excited, to see this playground finally happen for the kids.”