IN THE NEWS...

Elbow To Begin Fundraising For New Playground

By Joel van der Veen - Davidson

Oct. 17, 2011

ELBOW — As Elbow Mayor David Cross put it, the announcements made at his village's annual ratepayers meeting Thursday night weren't quite as impressive as Regina hosting the Grey Cup or Saskatoon hosting the Memorial Cup, but they were still pretty good.

"I think we can almost match those," he told the crowd of approximately 75 packed into the basement of the Elbow Civic Centre.

But the biggest news of all was saved for last. 

Members of the Service Club and the Orchard Committee announced plans to build a new playground through a partnership between the village and Let Them Be Kids (LTBK), a non-profit organization that has assisted communities across Canada in creating new play areas for children. 

The group helps by engaging citizens in the fundraising and design process. In the case of Elbow, they have pledged to match all funds raised by the community, giving the village a significant boost in buying power.

The committee has already set May 12, 2012 as the date for the construction of the new playground, which will be located within the community orchard site. The plan is to build all the equipment in one day, with the help of a veritable army of volunteers from the community. 

Between now and then, they will embark on a massive fundraising effort; the amount of money raised will determine how much equipment can be purchased. For instance, money raised at the Service Club's fall supper will go towards the playground, as will the $1,300 raised at the rodeo supper this summer. 

Display tables will be set up at the upcoming hobby show to give local kids a chance to help design the park and decide what equipment or play structures they'd like to see in it. 

"Everybody is going to be included in this," said Carol Patterson, "from the kids right on up to the senior citizens."

Besides play equipment, the village also has the option of including a gazebo, benches, waste receptacles and other park staples. 

Sarah Wilm told the crowd how she learned about LTBK online and filled out an application on behalf of the town. The crowd was then shown a video featuring LTBK founder Ian Hill, who introduced the project and gave a brief explanation. While LTBK has collaborated with hundreds of communities in Canada, Hill said the Elbow playground is their first-ever project in Saskatchewan. The video also included a slide show of pictures from a recent project completed in Pincher Creek, Alta. 

Committee member Grace McTavish said building this playground is the current step in a multi-phase plan that has also included the development of the community orchard and the purchase of Elbow's last remaining grain elevator. The village intends to designate the elevator as a heritage site and then apply for a matching grant to clean the building, allowing them to open it to visitors and redevelop it as a revenue source, possibly as a museum, restaurant or other attraction.

The group also discussed the development of the four-acre community orchard over the past year. The park now boasts a walking path and will soon be lit. About 200 trees were planted this year, in addition to the 1,000 trees and shrubs that already lined the park. 

"We are very proud of this success and the progress that we have made," said Joe Parent.

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Maybe not as impressive as Regina hosting the 2013 Grey Cup to some...but being the FIRST EVER COMMUNITY IN SASKATCHEWAN to win a LTBK award sure does feel good!! The memories that we will make on May 12, 2012...and for all the days that follow once our park is complete...will leave a legacy for our children and for everyone who visits Elbow! 

Check out the new Elbow website "What's New" section, for information on our project! 

And please don't forget to "JOIN THE EFFORT" and help make a difference in Elbow...After you register you will receive regular email updates on all of the progress, from now until May 2012!! 

TOGETHER WE WILL SUCCEED!