Rotary Club Assists School Project

Left to Right: Guy Moffat, Karly Friesen and Stephanie Brown

Portage's La Verendrye School's play structure project got some help from the Portage Rotary Club on December 30 at the club's luncheon.

The Rotary Club presented a $600.00 cheque to Stephanie Brown and Karly Friesen of the school, and Brown explains the project.

"It's been a process that we've been taking a part of the last -- almost -- four years now. It stemmed because our playground was falling apart. We really had a huge drive over this past summer and we were able to order up a playground and it's been installed in September."

She notes her surprise when the young students' provided their input when asked for suggestions.

"Then I said, 'Is that everything?' And they said, 'Well, we need garbage. Where are we going to put the garbage. And we need more benches. We don't have enough benches.' I personally was blown away because I hadn't foreseen that students, or children, at that age would actually think about. They were actually considering  all people. They were thinking about their parents bringing them, or being able to watch them. You know, having siblings that could sit there. They thought about themselves just hanging out. And then they actually thought. 'Well, we need to put some back in the shade.' They actually even thought about placement and where's the best spot for them."

Brown adds they could use your help.  

"As far as looking into our Phase 2, if somebody is interested, whether they have the knowledge of grant applications, or if they want to help out manually, to help with projects that we are thinking about in the near future, probably the easiest is to call La Verendrye School."

La Verendrye School's phone number is (204) 857-3478.