Victoria Cross council looking to build inclusive playground

The school council of Victoria Cross Public School in Mount Forest is fundraising to build an inclusive playground this year.

Only $10,000 away from its $50,000 goal, the school council, represented by members Axy Leighl and Carrie and Darren Wakeford, requested township funding at the Jan. 23 council meeting.

Leighl said the school council has been running fundraisers and volunteering since 2014 and is expected to build the play structure this summer.

Victoria Cross already has two playgrounds, but those are restricted to students from kindergarten to Grade 3.

The new playground would sit on the east side of the building to allow both the development delayed class and Grades 4 to 6 to use it.

“What we’d like to do is build a playground that isn’t specialized or has a portion cordoned off for them, we want all the kids playing together,” said Leighl.

“We want a playground that promotes free play for all the kids who use it. So that’s what we set out to build three years ago and we’re close to our goal.”

The playground will measure 1,500 to 2,000 square feet and could accommodate up to 40 students. Leighl added a rubberized surface would cover a portion of the playground so it is accessible by wheelchair.

Leighl said the school council is hoping to have a community build to save money and to spread word about the inclusive playground.

Leighl said the school council is filling out the necessary paperwork for funding from the township.