3 unique playhouses, 1 good cause
A 1960s Volkswagen van. A modern, crate-like container. And a summer cottage.
Three playhouses were constructed by local builders in a friendly competition to raise funds for the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre of Niagara.
The fourth annual event drew crowds to the Pen Centre parking lot, where the playhouses were built in five hours, then auctioned off. Some $4,875 was raised from the auction alone.
The crew at Luchetta Homes won the competition. They transformed mahogany plywood, pressure treated lumber and some silver-painted PVC piping into a playhouse they call the Volkswagen Woody Van.
Genuine parts — headlights, tire rims and steering wheel — were donated by John’s Bug Shop in Welland. And the playhouse interior was filled with plastic balls for kids to jump in, said Amanda Aiello, interior designer at Luchetta and van visionary.
Meanwhile, the team from Windrush Hill brought to life the vision of owner Tony Alfieri — a shipping container feel, called Fun Cubed, with a modern, contemporary vibe. Its windows are shower doors, framed in cedar, and metal roofing finishes off the sides. On the door is a digitally printed photograph of a child’s face pressed up against a porthole window, and on the other side, a tall ship. It’s also fitted with cabinets.
The Paint It team joined the competition even though they’ve never built anything before. The result, said owner Courtney Jackson, was a playhouse with a relaxed, cottage feel and lots of teamwork and laughter.
The money will be directed to a program that supports children during investigations of abuse, said the centre’s executive director, Janet Handy.
Children up to 15 years, are interviewed in child-friendly surroundings at the centre, by trained people from Niagara Regional Police and Family and Children’s Services Niagara, reducing the number of times children have to recount stories of abuse.
“It’s not a police station or a hospital or a school principal’s office,” said Handy.
“The centre is their centre. “Our justice system is built for adults. This is their place.”