In the fall of 2018, Yorkdale Central School received some rough news in that the play structure at its Kindergarten to Grade 2 playground would likely need to be removed within the next year. With degrading pieces and a lack of safe replacements, there was simply no alternative. While the school community council had been putting a small portion of its annual fundraising aside, the school was left with a sizeable task ahead.
The school community council embarked on “Project Playground” starting in November 2019 with a target of netting a playground between $100 000 -$120 000. The SCC brought back its large school raffle, which usually brought in about $14000. Other smaller projects such as partnering with realtors and local businesses helped chip away at the goal. Principal Shaune Beatty also began a campaign of grant writing and approaching larger organizations. Soon some major players began to come to the table, including some significant donations from Richardson Pioneer, Legacy Co-Op, Grain Millers, Louis Dreyfus Company, Mosaic and Solonenko Farms.
“At our Christmas Concert, I shared that our school would welcome any and all input to see things through for our youngest students,” shared Beatty. “Honestly, the next day individuals began coming into our school wanting to help. This included donations from families, parents, grandparents and past students. All wanted to help. Some came in with connections and we sat down on the spot and made telephone calls that resulted in sizable financial help.”
“Even Calder, a community that was losing its school and its students to Yorkdale in the next school year came forward wishing to help.”
With momentum on its side, the playground committee approached a number of playground companies and expressed their intentions. By February, the committee narrowed its focus to two companies and had them make their best pitches. In the end, the school went with the Saskatchewan-based company, Playquest.
In August 2019, the playground was built over four days. This included more help from Yorkdale families and friends. It also included the local high school football team and members of the army reserve. Companies such as Potzus Ltd, Yorkton Concrete and Flaman Rentals pitched in.
Principal Beatty shared, “Anyone who knows me knows I have a tremendous connection with my students and school. There is a lot of pride involved. But on this project, the support of my school community truly overwhelmed me. Yorkdale Central School is largely rural and agricultural, and we saw this reflected in the support we received. To achieve as much as we did inside a year is a true testament to the relationship between the school and its community. I couldn’t feel more proud.”
