Langdon explores options

Times Contributor    

 

The Langdon Community Association (LCA) is serious about providing a safe and fun playground for their children to play on this summer. The community’s old playground was declared unsafe in 2012, and had to be shut down. Since January, the LCA has been raising funds to rebuild.

Chrissy Craig, LCA’s Beautification/Grant coordinator, says “we still have a long way to reach our goal.” 

Fortunately, she says, “there are many people helping me out on this project,” including Shawna Weir-Murphy and Charmaine Jones on the Playground Committee. The committee also receives a great deal of fundraising support from individuals and businesses in the community.

On Saturday, April 27, Craig was on hand when Tamara Neufeld of Western Financial in Langdon and Strathmore, who is also a Langdon resident, presented $5,000 to the playground fund. Eastlink also recently donated $1,000, and the LCA’s own penny drive netted nearly $800. Langdon Dental is working to raise $1,000 through a survey on their Facebook page. And there are ongoing opportunities for others to donate.

“Blue Grass Nursery has donated $10,000 in product,” Craig says. LCA will sell the Blue Grass product on May 4, during Langdon’s Parade of Garage Sales, with all proceeds going towards the Langdon Playground Fund. The sale will be held on the deck of the field house.

The LCA will also hold a 50/50 draw that day, with proceeds to the playground fund. 

“50/50 tickets will be sold at a variety of houses around Langdon and at the Field House,” Craig said. “There will be signs at the houses marking the 50/50 draw. Tickets are $5 each and 1,000 printed with the potential of winning $2,500.”

The Association has reached 11 per cent of its fundraising goal, but Craig said “we can’t start building until we get all the money.” 

She’s applied for a grant from the Alberta Government’s Community Facility Enhancement Program, and says, “if we get that, then we will be able to start (building) this summer.”

Langdon needs the playground as soon as possible. Craig said that, according to the 2011 Census, Langdon has “720 children … which is 21 per cent of our population.” 

That’s eight per cent higher than the provincial average. 

“The park where this playground is needed is the main park in town,” she says. “This park is used constantly throughout the year, especially in the summer. It is really needed in this town for all the families and children!”

Craig invites Strathmore Times readers to support the playground fund at the Garage Sale Day on May 4 and to complete Langdon Dental’s Facebook survey. 

“People can (also) drop donations off at Mountain View Credit Union in Langdon,” she says. “And they can contact me for donations or fundraising help: 403-936-8572.”