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.
Wondering what to do with all those extra pennies? Look for collection jars around town....and donate the pennies to the Elbow Community Park Project! 
