The Ecole Qayqayt Community School is competing with projects from coast to coast for a grant that will help it fund a new playground.
Construction of Ecole Qayqayt Community School is underway at the former St. Mary’s Hospital site, but the province doesn’t provide any funding for a playground because the project is a replacement school. It’s anticipated students who are currently attending John Robson will go to the school in September 2014.
Community members wanting to help the school in its bid to get funding from the Aviva Community Fund can go www.avivacommunityfund.org and enter Qayqayt in the search box. People are able to vote once a day for the contest, until round one ends on Oct. 14.
The John Robson parents advisory council has been searching for a grant opportunity to help build a community playground for the students and area residents, and has applied for a grant from the Aviva Community Fund contest, which is giving away $1 million for ideas to create positive change in Canada.
Ronda Field submitted an application to the Aviva Community Fund on behalf of the Qayqayt community playground committee. The playground will cost $50,000 to $100,000.
“Qayqayt will function as a central meeting place and play area for inner city residents and families to enjoy,” stated a portion of Field’s submission. “The playground will be used by over 500 children per day during school hours, and many more after hours.”
The school is hoping to develop a new playground that fosters the development of children of all abilities.
“The Qayqayt Community Playground vision is for a natural-themed playground with barrier-free and adventure elements to stimulate each of these core values,” stated Field’s submission. “We aim to provide equipment that encourages interaction on multiple levels both for children at Qayqayt and the community-at-large.”
The “cost of this dream” is about $100,000, which would fund a playground at the lower portion of the site for young children and a playground slightly upslope for older children, with each one being about 1,000 square feet in size.
Leaders wanted
Century House is looking for leaders who are interested in connecting to their community.
An information session about the LEADS (learning, educating and developing seniors) leadership training program is taking place on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. at Century.
Training is set to take place from January to March 2014.
“Participating in the LEADS program has presented so many opportunities for me in my community,” said a former participant in the program. “It’s given me the confidence to get involved.”
If you’re 50 or older and are retired or soon to retire, are looking for new ways to uses your skills and experience and are interested in a creative connection to your community and a meaningful volunteer experience, LEADS is for you.
The program includes a series of workshops where participants will explore leadership, communication and development topics.
For more information, call 604-519-1066 or email [email protected]. Space is limited and interviews will take place following the information session at Century House in January.
Crafty cause
Royal City Gogos are inviting community members to shop and help.
The group is holding an Artisan Crafts for Africa event includes items for people of all ages.
The sale takes place on Friday, Nov. 1 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s all happening at the CAW Hall, 326 12th St.
All proceeds will go to the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
Do you have an item for Around Town? Send ideas to Theresa McManus, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @TheresaMcManus.
