'Fundraising Members of the Boissevain School’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC) are excitedly in the beginning stages of planning new playgrounds and outdoor spaces for all the students of Boissevain School. PAC has put together a playground committee of eager parents, and with the full support of new principal Mr. White, they have been given the go ahead to reach out to playground builders to begin the design process and start the task of fundraising for the three new outdoor spaces, shares the PAC committee.

PAC committee treasurer, Heather Janssens, says they've been busy in the past month reaching out to building contractors, grant options, playground options and ways to improve the playground at Boissevain School.

"Our goal is to have spaces that are accessible for all children, so having spaces that are accessible for all children," shares Janssens. "So, we'll be redoing some of the bases so that children in wheelchairs or walkers, or with limited ability, will be able to play with their friends easier."  

"There will be some larger equipment in the middle of the school playground," she adds. "The middle school playground is fairly small climbing set and it's just not really big enough for the Grades 5-8 kids to be playing on."

The playground project is just getting off the ground, but already students are buzzing with excitement and talking about what fun items will be part of their new playgrounds.

Swings are definitely in the design for the all-new middle school area, which have already been requested by numerous middle schoolers. Adding a natural play space alongside the outdoor classroom in the primary area is in the plans along with new swings, teeter totters, and climbing area with bigger slides. 

High school students will also be getting an outside space designed especially for them. "We don't know what that's going to look like yet but we're hoping there will be a basketball court in the mix for them," notes Janssens.

"So, we're quite excited about this," she says. "It's been a very long time since any large amount of effort has gone into updating outside playground spaces for the students." 

A top priority for the playground will be creating an inclusive space that is accessible for all students. Having a play surface that kids with mobility challenges are able to play on will create a space where all students will have the opportunity to enjoy being a kid. The play spaces will include different types of play, from active and loud to cozy and quiet so kids can choose the excitement level that is comfortable for them.

Part of a big project is a big price tag, shares PAC. The committee will be looking to raise $300,000 to complete all phases of the new outdoor spaces. The first fundraiser ‘Cash4Climbers’ will be rolling out soon.

"Starting next week our students will all be given a book of ten tickets to sell. Tickets will be $10 each. All the kids are encouraged to sell a book of tickets and if we can get all of our books of tickets sold, we will be looking at making approximately $37,000 from that, since we have about 400 students in Boissevain School!"

Janssens adds a ticket selling competition is taking place between the Primary grades, the middle-years grades, and the high school grades that the most tickets sold in each of these grade categories will be winning pizza parties for their classroom!

To show your support and be part of this fundraiser, watch for students selling tickets at $10 a piece for cash prizes of $1500, $1000 and $500, or reach out to a member of the playground committee.  Draw date is December 4th!

"We're really excited about this," adds Janssens. "It will be good for the school, it will be good for the community, it will be good for everybody, and yes, creating a space that's more accessible will also be great for our community. We're looking at this as being a dedicated space that is accessible space for anybody with mobility issues, and also creating that space so that able-bodied children can play there as well. So, kids are able to play with all of their friends at recess!"

Community members are encouraged to join the Facebook page ‘Boissevain School Playground’ to stay updated on all the excitement.

If you have any questions or suggestions, we encourage you to reach out to a member of the Playground Committee: Erin Randall Cell: 204-761-2909, Marina Kroeker Cell: 204-523-2351, and Heather Janssens Cell: 204-534-8085..

Please listen to more on the Cash4Climbers project with Heather Janssens below!

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