LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
A new playground structure has been chosen for Winchelsea Elementary School (WES) but due to a shortfall of funds, they may loose one of the slides and a wheel-chair accessible interactive panel if they don’t raise more money by March 26.
The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) that is leading the project received a $50,000 grant last year to replace the current aging wooden structure, and have been holding fundraisers and approaching businesses to make up the remaining funds needed to purchase equipment.
Most of the structure has been ordered but another $6,000 is needed to complete the desired structure.
A Community Build is slated for April 25-27, for which the PAC is looking for volunteers, said Heather Mahoney vice chair of the WES PAC. Due to safety reasons, children are not allowed to help build.
The students voted on two free standing play items donated by the Habitat Systems Inc. (the company making the equipment) and a colour palette for the playground was voted on by the school and the community online.
The PAC is also hosting a Playground Penny Drive until the end of June, they have Purdy’s Dark chocolate bars on sale for $2 each at the school office, and are planning on holding a Plant & Mulch sale mid-April.
Those wishing to donate before Spring Break is over can call 250-248-4634 or email wespac@shaw.ca. Otherwise donations can be dropped at the school office at 140 Renz Road in Parksville, cheques can be made out to WES PAC.
For more information on the WES PAC and upcoming fundraisers visit www.wespac.weebly.com.