by PAUL RAYNER

A new playground structure at the Kinsmen Park has been talked about for several years. Now, due to work by Boissevain’s two Kin Clubs, it is scheduled to become a reality this fall.

The Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs have been working to replace the existing playground equipment at the park on the north east side of town. According to Kinsman Sid Braybrook, a project co-chair, their club had been looking to do this for some time.

“We have been looking at this project for many years,” Braybrook explained, “and seriously for about seven years. We just couldn’t see how to raise the money. We have the Kinette Club on board and helping and that is important, because it means having more people to help with it.”

The playground structure, right on Cook Street and constructed in the early 1980’s, includes a swinging bridge, slide and climbing equipment. Braybrook said there were different reasons for making the change. For one, it was built with Copper Chromate Arsenic wooden posts and rails, which have been banned for several years. As well, the present playground does not have the base it should have. Braybrook explained that they need 12 inches of non-compacting material at the base. It could be of different materials, but due to the requirements of a Community Places grant, they will be using pea-stone.

Braybrook said they have been looking at products from a couple of companies and are learning toward one by Playgrounds R Us. Although they will be replacing the one structure, in this plan, there would be two built. One would be 4 ft high and aimed at the 2-5 year old crowd. It would include several slides, bridges, shelters and different activities on the walls, like a tic tac toe game.

Another part would be for older kids, which would include a climbing rock, climbing walls and more technical slides. The area will have to be wheelchair accessible to a degree, and they are planning a perimeter border to help keep some of the pea stone in.

At present, they are planning to keep the swings, which could be replaced in a second phase, which Braybrook said would be an attempt to make the playground a more natural playing environment, with perhaps a hill and plastic piping so they can use their imaginations. He added that work toward that will likely begin next year.

The cost of the new equipment planned for this year is estimated at $117,604, a number that includes the volunteer labour to put it up. It is a fair bit of money, but they have already raised more than $90,000 of the total. This includes $20,000 from the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs and the same from the Town of Boissevain, $5,000 from the RM of Morton and $6,500 from Community Places. Right now, they are continuing the effort.

“We’ve applied for numerous grants, and we’re doing corporate fundraising with businesses, applied for an infrastructure grant. Covering the shortfall of $30,000 is achievable, we just have to get the word out.”

He feels the fact the two clubs have collected most of the money without leaning on the host community too much will help their efforts.

“I think so,” Braybrook stated. “We were able to cut it down first, and it shows that the businesses here are not being tapped for the whole amount.”

They are looking at interim financing to cover any shortfalls prior to construction, although Braybrook feels they should be able to have all of the money in place without much delay.

Organizers are moving quickly. Braybrook said they would be ordering equipment soon, with an eye towards putting it up in the first of September. It will be built by volunteer labour, but either company they are looking at will provide supervisors to work with them.

As well as donations, the two clubs received letters of support from Tiny Turtle Daycare and Boissevain School. This helps demonstrate the importance attached to the park and playground.

“One of the things we did was do a study of what age groups were using the park. There are a lot of young kids using it, and we want a structure all of the youth in the community can use. They are using it as soon as it is above freezing till after it freezes again. A lot of people have lunch there and watch their kids play. It has always been used a lot.”

“The park and playground have an important value in our community,” Braybrook stated. “It is really the only park outside of the school for kids to play in. It is important to spend the money upgrading it.