By Sheldon Spackman

Red Deerians once again showed their heart-warming generosity on Saturday, June 24th when they came out in support of an Access for All, barrier-free playground at Mattie McCullough Elementary School in the Lancaster neighbourhood.

The Make A Move with Jagger fundraising initiative saw it’s latest efforts raise just over $6,200 towards the construction of a new playground at the school that anyone and everyone can enjoy. Hundreds came out and enjoyed Bouncy Castles, Carnival Games, Balloon Animals, a Hillside Slip-n-Slide, Dunk Tank, Sumo Wrestling Suits, Disney Princesses, Face Painting, Live Entertainment, A Pie Eating Contest, Kissing Booth, Prizes and a variety of carnival-type foods!

The new playground initiative was inspired by 9 year old Jagger Anderson, a Grade 3 student at Mattie McCullough Elementary School. Born out of the wish for Jagger and his friends to have a more accessible playground in which to enjoy their time together. It’s a three-year project that began in 2016, with plans to have Phase One of construction get underway on August 11th of this year and be totally finished and ready for use by the fall of 2018. However, it comes with a $500,000 price tag, which the Rotary Clubs of Red Deer and City of Red Deer are also getting behind to make this dream a reality. Not only for Jagger but for all people in our community with disabilities.

The City of Red Deer has also agreed to donate the land and will provide on-going maintenance. Officials say “Access for All” at Mattie McCullough Elementary School will be the largest barrier-free playground in Central Alberta.

Other upcoming fundraising initiatives for the new playground also include a Bernard Callebaut Chocolate Chase planned in August, a Wing-Fest and a Black-Tie Bingo. Details on those events are still to be released.

Support the Make A Move With Jagger Foundation

Find out more about Barrier-Free playscapes at Access For All.