(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

School projects

École Holy Cross playground project reaches halfway mark

Jan 19, 2025 | 12:00 PM

A major venture by École Holy Cross in Prince Albert to upgrade its existing playground is now over halfway towards the desired goal.

With help from a family dance held on Thursday night, they’ve moved one giant step closer to raising between $180,000 and $200,000. Principal Gisele Stalwick hopes to see construction start by the summer.

“Hopefully by this summer, we will have a solidified plan of what we’re putting in,” she said.

The project comes in two parts. One of the structures is at the end of life and the school also wants to expand the older kids area. Stalwick acknowledged the work done by parents, students, staff and the surrounding community.

“The community uses our playground throughout the year, evenings, weekends. It’s also utilized by the community, so we appreciate all their support and we thank our parents for coming out to support us and our school community council is really active and really doing the push for that,” she said.

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While Stalwick confirmed she is applying for some grants, she also noted how difficult it is to find money that will fit all of their needs. Another challenge lies in the fact the Ministry of Education doesn’t fund playgrounds.

“But we do our best,” she said.

Also included with Thursday’s family event was a special Nintendo Switch raffle. The proceeds will help pay for school functions such as an upcoming ski trip by the older students to Wapiti.

“And we get big buses to go and they get to use those, so that’s a cost that is incurred and our school community council really helps support that,” Stalwick explained.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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