The Blindman Valley Lions Club is one step closer to bringing a piece of playground equipment to town that will bring families together to play.
Last year following a fundraiser held by the club, they asked community members how the funds that had been raised should be spent.
One suggestion grabbed the club’s attention. Rimbey resident, Kelly LeBlanc, jumped in and suggested an “Expression Swing”.
“Not knowing what the heck that was, they (the club) did some research on this,” said Trudy Rangen, for the Blindman Valley Lions. “It is a specially designed swing that features both a front and a back support so that the parent and the child face one another. This feature is something that provides a better connection between parent and child. A focused, one-on-one connection, not available when pushing a swing from behind.
“It also provides something Rimbey doesn’t offer, something for recreation that can be used by both able bodied and children with disabilities ranging from physical to mental development,” said Rangen.
LeBlanc had suggested this swing because she is the parent of a child with autism, who would benefit from this. Leblanc explained that she had searched for areas of recreation that would accommodate their needs and was repeatedly informed that Rimbey doesn’t offer anything and was even told, “that is why people move away”.
The Blindman Valley Lions club have received a grant from Equs which will partially fund the Burke Konnection swing and they will be holding another Facebook fundraiser February 2022, to raise the additional funds needed for this project.
The Blindman Valley Lions club said they are excited to bring the equipment into Rimbey.
“Our hope is that there are many families who will benefit from the connection it creates. We hope to have it installed this spring.”