It was cold, muddy and miserable, but that didn't stop volunteers from helping to build F.W. Howay Elementary's new playground last week.
In a letter to the editor, Howay principal Ken Millard thanked volunteers for turning up to get the playground ready for spring.
"Last Saturday, Habitat Systems supervisors led many parents and community members to construct our playgrounds. Orientation began at 8 a.m., and the rain started soon after," Millard wrote. "Crews were very appreciative of the doughnuts and coffee donated by Tim Hortons. The Save-On-Foods barbecue was a welcome sight at lunchtime. Save-On-Foods staff provided and cooked up ham-burgers and hot dogs with all the fixins."
Despite the soggy conditions, both playgrounds were put together and cemented in place by the end of the day, Millard wrote.
"Volunteers shared a sense of accomplishment and quite a few laughs. Everyone was heartened to see the results of all their planning and hard work.
"They say, 'It takes a village to raise a child.' Apparently, that goes for playgrounds, too," he wrote.
Howay recieved a $50,000 grant from the province for the construction of the playground.
Parents also raised funds and received donations from various businesses and organizations, including the New Westminster Rotary Club, the New Westminster Shrine Club, and CINEC, a business which acts as a representative between schools in Canada and China.
