Making The World A Better Place....

Movie Launch... June 2, 2012

Lunch & Skate

LUNCH & SKATE

Elbow Rink

February 26, 2012

12:00pm – 2:00pm

$5.00 Soup, Bun and Beverage

$2.50 – 6 & Under

BRING YOUR SKATES & SMILES AND JOIN US FOR SOME FAMILY FUN!

Proceeds to the Elbow Community Park Project

In The News...

Elbow Wins $10,000 Grant

By Joel van der Veen
Feb. 6, 2012

ELBOW—The citizens of Elbow are another $10,000 closer to the fundraising goal for their community park project after winning Saskatchewan in motion's Community Pledge Challenge at the end of January.

The village of 300 finished first among six finalists in an online vote, after pledging to devote the $10,000 prize to keeping local children and youth more physically active.

Village administrator Yvonne Jess accepted the prize at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association convention in Regina on Jan. 30.

Elbow was one of 23 communities to register for the challenge, and one of 11 to move on to the second round by outlining how they would spend the prize money.

A panel of judges narrowed the group down to six communities—Craven, Elbow, James Smith Cree Nation, Leader, Swift Current and Unity—and visitors to Saskatchewan in motion's website voted to determine the final winner. Elbow received a total of 25,392 votes.

Adding the prize money to the funds already raised by the town gives the park project a total of $45,804 gathered so far, said organizer Sarah Wilm.

"We're pretty excited," she said, explaining that while the goal is to raise at least $75,000, the park committee would be happy to top that. "The more money we raise, the more (equipment) we can get."

Cathie Kryzanowski, general manager of Saskatchewan in motion, said she was thrilled with the number of people that became involved in the Community Pledge Challenge.

"All the participating communities have identified innovative ways to increase physical activity opportunities for children and youth," she said. "We look forward to supporting each community in their efforts to achieve their goals over the next few months."

Statistics provided by Saskatchewan in motion indicate that less than 15 per cent of children in Saskatchewan get the minimum 60 minutes of physical activity needed each day, but Wilm said organizers are confident the park will encourage both kids and adults to be more active.

Besides a children's playground, there are plans to install a veterans' memorial, a peace pole garden, a gazebo for hosting performances, an authentic First Nations tipi, a picnic and barbecue area, a walking path and even outdoor exercise equipment suitable for adults.

"It's more than a playground," explained Wilm, who lives in the village with her husband Lee and their two sons. "We want to make it a place that everybody can use."

Elbow is partnering with Let Them Be Kids (LTBK), a non-profit organization that has helped communities across Canada to build play areas for children. LTBK has pledged to match all the funds raised by the village, including the $10,000 contributed by Saskatchewan in motion.

May 12 has been designated the construction date for the playground itself. The community intends to build all the equipment in one day with the assistance of dozens of local volunteers.

From the beginning, organizers said they would consult closely with the community to determine what equipment would be featured in the park.

This included a unique surveying method called "Dotmocracy." Primary students in nearby Loreburn were shown large posters of different playground equipment, including slides, play structures and other items.

They were then given four stickers each, which they used to mark the structures they wanted for the Elbow park. Children visiting the fall trade and hobby show also had the same opportunity.

"The playground is actually what the kids wanted," explained Wilm, "which is what it's all about."

Wilm said the formal fundraising campaign has yet to begin, but proceeds from a number of recent events have been donated towards the project, including the Lakeshore Stampede supper, a fall supper, a New Year's Eve party, the fall trade and hobby show and a silent auction.

The committee has also received personal donations, including a generous $20,000 contribution from Rick and Laurie Hopkinson of Saskatoon. Some local residents and businesses have organized their own small-scale fundraisers, added Wilm.

"The whole point of this project was to get people involved on their own," she said. "People are getting involved and doing whatever they can."

As the construction date approaches, Wilm said, the committee is having more meetings and conference calls with LTBK, allowing them to provide updates on their fundraising campaign and to consult with other communities across Canada for ideas and inspiration. 

The leaderonline is a division of The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Brier Playoff Package...

Thanks to everyone who bought tickets for the 2012 Brier Playoff Package!! Greg Bristow is the lucky winner! Thanks to Denise Ganes for organizing the ticket sales!!

Our New Playground Design!

Our new playground design features more of what our children asked for...and 4 pieces of adult fitness equipment!!

ELBOW WINS!!!

ELBOW WINS THE $10,000 SASKATCHEWAN IN MOTION COMMUNITY PLEDGE CHALLENGE!!

 

Our small community of under 300 people, won with an amazing 25392 votes! Thank you to everyone, near and far...literally around the world....for supporting the Elbow Community Park Project! Thank you for believing!!! Without YOU....it would not have been possible! From the bottom of our hearts, we thank, thank, thank you!!!

KEEP VOTING....

Just a heads up...Saskatchewan In Motion has tossed in a little something to add to the suspense...

Please note: To keep you all in suspense, vote totals will be removed from the site at noon January 27. Your votes will continue to be tallied until 12 a.m. CST January 29 (that's midnight Saturday). The winner will be announced January 30, 2012.

Thank you for all your continued support and votes!! Please keep voting!!! Let's win this for our kids!! 

VOTE FOR ELBOW!!
www.jumpin.ca   

We Need Help From LTBK Communities Across Canada!!

We need our LTBK extended family from Providence Bay, Brockville, Chelmsford and Cape St. George to help us out and VOTE FOR ELBOW!!

Elbow is one of the smallest communities left in the Community Pledge Challenge, having under 300 residents...so we need ALL the help we can get!! We have been competing against much larger towns - and are still managing to stay in either 1st or 2nd place!! 

There are now only 6 days left to vote, the contest ends at 12am on January 29, 2012...you can vote once a day...and up to 6 family members can have accounts, per computer....help us win the $10,000 for our children!! Visit www.jumpin.ca today!! Make your votes count!!

Thank you so much!!