TREENA MIELKE/Rimbey Review
In a spirit of small town friendliness, goodwill and co-operation, volunteers got together last weekend to help make the dream of a new playground in Alder Flats finally become a reality.
Thanks to The Helping Hands Award from Let Them Be Kids, a charitable world-wide program that funds construction of play structures, the playground in the school yard received a bright, shiny new makeover.
The makeover included new playground equipment, a soccer pitch, improvements to the baseball diamond, benches, picnic area and fitness equipment which can be used by adults as well.
Alder Flats Elementary School principal Sean Madill said the Fellowship of Alder Flats School Committee applied for the award last year and were delighted to learn that the project was to be among a select few chosen from around 1,000 applicants from across Canada.
He noted that the new playground will be wonderful for the youngsters and the fundraising efforts helped build a strong sense of community among the volunteers.
The completed playground is to be named after the late George McLeod.
“He was an active community member in the communities of Alder Flats and Buck Lake and a familiar face in the school for Remembrance Day ceremonies until his passing on April 30, 2009,” said spokesperson Tina Hutchinson.
McLeod was born in Edmonton on Jan., 25, 1923 and worked in the mills until he joined the air force in 1943. He married in 1945 and settled in Buck Lake where he raised five children who are still involved in the community.
McLeod donated the land for the Buck Lake Senior Centre, which he also helped build, and was one of the first members of the Buck Lake Rodeo Board. He was also a member of the agricultural society and helped to make ice for the curling rink.
Madill said work including preparing the ground and pouring cement began early last week. The final touches, including a formal dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony, were completed Saturday.
Community groups including Alder Flats Ag Society, the zone 4 recreation board and Alder Flats School Parent Council worked with Madill to help make the first steps of the project possible.
Alder Flats School has around 120 students from kindergarten to Grade 6. The school also offers a pre-school program.