HAGERSVILLE—The end of the school year can be a time of nostalgia, with memories of learning in the classroom and playing in the schoolyard. That play is often centred on structures designed for physical play – running, climbing, and sliding – but when the equipment is deemed unsafe, that recess escape may no longer be available.
That has been the case at Hagersville Elementary School (HES) since the old playground equipment was removed last summer. The removal created the need to fundraise for what the HES Parent Council describes as a “new, safe, and inclusive playground structure that will serve students of all ages and abilities for many years to come.”
In a letter advising the community of the fundraising campaign, HES Parent Council stated, “Our playground is more than a space for recess, it is where students build friendships, strengthen their bodies, practice problem-solving, and return to the classroom ready to learn.”
—Submitted photo.
Taking the lead on the fundraising effort is Sophie Otterman, who understands the value of the school playground. Her own children played on the very equipment that was removed. With two grandchildren currently attending the school, she decided to get involved.
“I approached Parent Council and offered to take it on,” Otterman said.
With an estimated cost of $70,000 or higher, she acknowledged that it is a significant undertaking. Simply stated, she said, “It’s not easy. It’s a lot of money.… You don’t have any idea how much things cost until you start fundraising.”
Scrap from the old equipment generated $4,000 for the cause and there have been some donations of $500 from local businesses. Two successful fundraising events took place this spring, beginning with a barbecue hosted by Heaslip Ford Motors Ltd.
Otterman said, “Rob Philips was amazing for hosting the barbecue!”
Most recently, a car wash at Tim’s Tirecraft raised $1,000 over the course of three hours on the morning of June 13. Otterman appreciated the support of both the volunteers and the staff at Tim’s Tirecraft who pitched in to help.
“If it wasn’t for them, it wouldn’t have happened,” she said. “It takes a community for these things to happen.”
That support is appreciated by HES Principal Shannon Love, who suggested the whole community will benefit from the new playground.
“We are grateful for the support of the Hagersville Elementary Parent Council, families, and neighbours who are coming together to fundraise for a new play structure at our school,” Love said. “Our play spaces are deeply loved and heavily used by our students during the day and by local families outside school hours.”
She continued, “While there is a lot of work ahead to make this project a reality, we hope to celebrate a new, wheelchair-accessible structure that the entire Hagersville community can enjoy in the near future.”
The students especially will be happy to see new equipment installed.
Otterman’s grandchildren have told her that “kids do miss the play structure. I hear it from parents too.”
A fall craft show is the next big fundraiser being planned for November 14.
Otterman said they are working on ideas for other fundraising events, with another car wash in September possible as well.
Knowing the playground is a place where memories and friendships are formed is a strong motivator to keep going.
“It’s for the kids,” Otterman said. “It’s all about the kids.”
For more information on the fall craft show or to support the playground equipment fundraising, contact Sophie Otterman at 905-746-3914 or contact Hagersville Elementary School.
