Despite the rain and wind on June 14th, 2008, volunteers pulled together
to help make our community playground project a success. Over fifty people
participated in the building of the playground, as well as many more individuals,
who helped with food preparation and children’s activities. The Cape
Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) provided additional support for build
day, with the help of summer students who organized games and activities to
entertain the children as they anxiously awaited the opening of their new
play area.
Other highlights from build day included visits by the local media (CB
Radio, CB Post, and CTV news), Coxheath Fire Department, Emergency Health
Services’ “Bear-a-medic”, and Br.151 Eastbay Legion members.
We were honored to have veterans present for a Color Parade and the singing
of O’ Canada to celebrate the opening of the ‘Coxheath Veterans
Memorial Playground’.
It has been both inspiring and rewarding to be involved in this community
project, which has truly brought people together in our neighbourhood.
In a period of just over six months, an initial group of 11 volunteers
(Oland Heights Recreation Association) managed to organize, plan, and motivate
a small community to accomplish a BIG goal! We owe a special thanks to
Ian Hill, who encouraged us to go ahead with the project an entire year
before we expected to reach our fundraising goal! Without the support of
LTBK and Belair Recreational Products this project would not have been
possible! Thank you!
We also would like to thank the numerous community businesses and individuals
who supported the playground project, especially: CBRM, Kenny Mercer (Birchwood
Enterprises), Councillors Claire Detheridge and Richard Fogarty, Central
CB Community Health Board, Municipal Ready Mix, Home Depot, Central Supplies,
Gillis BMR, S&M Trucking, Sobeys, Needs, Tim Horton’s, Deep East
Design, TRA, Finishing Touch Centre, Stone Bros., Conestoga-Rovers Associates & Riverview
Y’s Men, to name just a few! Please visit our website (www.coxheathonline.com/ohra.htm)
to see a detailed list of businesses that also helped to support our fundraising
initiatives.
This project has been a success on many levels. It has:
Created a safe, central play area in our community.
Encouraged families & children to become more physically active.
Our playground was also added to the municipal ‘Fun Van’ summer
schedule.
Transformed a vacant lot & provided a gathering place for neighbours.
Motivated us to continue working toward improving our community,
as we proceed with landscaping and additions to the playground
area.
