Funding is complete!

June 16, 2008 - The Lions Bay School Parent Advisory Council (PAC) has completed its fundraising for the replacement of the playground equipment. The implementation of the project is scheduled for the summer holidays so that the children will return to a brand new and exciting playground in September.
After receiving news from the School District that the playground was no longer safe in October 2007 and had to be removed in the spring of 2008, the new PAC faced a real challenge.  In particular the financial side of the effort forced the PAC to become resourceful and active in very short order as no one wanted the students to face “a gaping hole” in the ground.

Applications went in for government and corporate sponsorships and the parent community embarked on a number of fundraising initiatives.  Pieter Dorsman, PAC Chair, said “Our efforts did not go unnoticed and many residents stepped forward to offer their support. At the same time we were in negotiations with the school district and managed to delay the removal of the current structures to the end of the school year.”
It is with great appreciation that we would like to thank the parents, the Lions Bay community and local businesses who came forward with their support and contributions for the new playground.

Key to closing to fundraising effort were Lions Bay residents Stu & Marilyn Blusson and Bob & Carmen Dickinson (who all offered frank and constructive advice), the Whistler-Blackcomb Foundation, the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Kiewit Corp.

A big thanks also goes out to the Lions Bay School’s staff, notably Vice-Principal Amber Pascual, and the School District’s facilities department, in particular Gary Chords.  Both put up with us during many meetings and brainstorming sessions and helped us climb the learning curve of playground construction.
The opening ceremony for the playground will be on the first day back to school, Tuesday September 2nd  at 10 am.  All are welcome to try out the new Evos System and enjoy a bit of after school play.
For any further questions, please contact Pieter Dorsman at 604-921 1756.