StettlerLocal.com on September 1, 2023 at 6:30 pm
Stettler's oldest-looking playground is slated for a makeover in the fall of 2024.
The Rosedale Playground, on 51A Avenue, is scheduled to undergo a revitalization thanks to the Stettler Kinsmen and Kinettes.
"The Rosedale neighbourhood, due to its age and layout, does not generally see much new development and sometimes can seem neglected when it comes to services and facilities," says Kirk Blake, Kinsmen Chair for the Rosedale Playground Project. "We are happy to re-engage the neighborhood though this project."
The Kinsmen and Kinettes have had this playground in their sights for more than six years.
"A playground is a very expensive project and requires years of fundraising," says Blake, "then add in the two years lost to Covid when our clubs & community weren’t in a position to raise funds."
However, says Blake, two factors helped jump start this revitalization. The first was an unexpected financial investment from the Town of Stettler Parks & Leisure Department.
The second was the death of long-time Kinsmen John Verhoeven.
"John was the longest-serving member of our club and always pushed for our projects to be bigger and better," says Blake. "Our club agreed we wanted to do something big in memory of John and decided it was time to go after this project hard."
The revitalization is budgeted for approx. $308,000, which includes new playground equipment and FailSAFE rubber surfacing. The playground will also be wheelchair accessible.
"It will cover the same footprint as the existing gravel play area, leaving the existing basketball court untouched," says Blake. "There will also be some paving for easy access from the sidewalk to the play area."
To help raise money for the playground, the Kinsmen and Kinettes are hosting two fundraising events in October, including Oktoberfest at the Stettler Agriplex on October 14.
The second event is the famous Kinsmen Poker Nite, which returns on October 28 after a 3-year hiatus. It will be held at the HUB at the Stettler Rec Centre, and includes night of poker, food, drinks and fun.
The Kinsmen and the Kinettes will be organizing other fundraisers next year, and they'll also be looking for 60+ volunteers to help with playground installation next fall.
"Playgrounds have always been a priority for the Kinsmen & Kinettes as our mandate is to support local youth-based causes first & foremost," says Blake. "Every playground in town has had involvement of one of our clubs in some way."
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