Chris Clegg
South Peace News
The M.D. of Smoky River is supporting a project to replace Ecole Routhier’s deteriorating wooden playground structure.
Council endorsed the Routhier Facility Enhancement Society’s project at its March 10 meeting.
The society is applying for two grants for the project, council heard. Reeve Robert Brochu already signed two letters supporting grant applications before the meeting which had to be sent due to grant deadlines. At no cost to council, they were quickly endorsed.
A letter from society secretary Pauline Therriault was sent to council Feb. 20.
“The current wooden structure has really begun to show its age and due to the construction of the structure, it is no longer repairable,” wrote Therriault.
She adds it is difficult to maintain, and repairs virtually impossible due to material and current code standards.
The society was formed with the intent to raising money for major projects that benefit not only the school but the community members who use the facility.
The society has applied for a $125,000 Community Facility Enhancement Program grant to match money already raised.
The society is also applying for a Farm Credit Canada Agri- Spirit grant.
If successful in their grant applications, the society hopes to remove the existing structure in July 2022 and install the new structure before school begins in the fall.
“The board members have voluntarily taken on the task of spearheading the replacement of the Ecole Routhier wooden playground structure,” wrote Brochu.
“Like most schools located in a rural area, Ecole Routhier School and its grounds also serve the community as a public-use facility, therefore a replacement of the older wooden playground structure would be beneficial not only to the school but to the community,” he added.