Fundraising efforts for a playground at RancheView School are now complete.
With the provincial funding, the RancheView School Fundraising Society has raised a total of $240,000, which allowed playground construction on the northwest side of the school.
“I am thrilled we’ve reached our goal and we’ll soon have a playground at RancheView School,” says society president Aaron Gertzen.
“We couldn’t have done this without the tireless efforts of everyone in the fundraising society, the generosity of the community and town council, and the support of the administrators and staff at the school.”
The RancheView School Fundraising Society was formed in late 2015 after learning the new Sunset Ridge school would not have a playground for its opening in September 2016.
Over the ensuing 2.5 years, the society raised funds through events such as bottle drives, raffles, home shopping nights and family events. Staff at RancheView School also raised money by auctioning ‘gifts of time’ — special events with students, such as baking cupcakes, ‘principal for a day’ and off-campus activities.
“Your organization is to be commended on its hard work in connection with this project,” Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism, wrote to the society in confirming the $125,000 grant. “It will have a positive effect on the quality of life in our community.”
The society also received significant donations and grants from the Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Memorial Foundation ($35,000), Treasures For You/Home Treasures ($10,000), Alaris ($5,000), and the Town of Cochrane ($4,900).
About 650 students from kindergarten to Grade 8 attend RancheView School.
Gertzen says the society will remain active to raise funds for other high-priority needs for the school.