CARSTAIRS – Town council has received an update on a proposed playground rebuild project at Hugh Sutherland School, an initiative organizers say will create a ‘safe, inclusive and engaging environment for children of all abilities’.
The review came during the June 23 council meeting, and including a letter from the Hugh Sutherland School Enhancement Foundation (HSSEF).
The foundation recently conducted a community-wide survey of local families and the general public to gather insights on how residents envision the redevelopment of the existing HSS playground, foundation members Jen Massop and Kim Presser said in a letter received by council.
Presser and Massop also appeared before council as a delegation.
“We are pleased to report that we received over 144 responses,” they said. “These valuable inputs have been shared with a playground designer, who is actively working on creating two mock-ups and conducting cost analysis’s to facility the next step in the project.”
One obstacle facing the project lies in “designing an inclusive playground that accommodates the diverse needs over 830 students spanning grades 5-12,” they said, noting that Carstairs is on the list to eventually receive a new school, adding another lay of complexity to the planning process.
Before proceeding with application for substantial funding grants for the project, “it is imperative that we finalize the playground design, establish a comprehensive budget, and secure letters of support form community residents, the school and council members,” they said.
As part of the update, council received an overview from the foundation about the proposed project, which is a “community-led initiative aimed at revitalizing the outdoor play areas for students and the surrounding community. This project seeks to create a safe, inclusive, and engaging environments where children of all abilities can enjoy physical activity, social interaction, and creative play.”
The current playground infrastructure at the school is ‘outdated, unsafe and lacks inclusive features that ensure accessibility for children of all abilities, they said.
“The current structure does not meet the needs of all youth, particularly those who relay on mobility aides such as wheelchairs and walkers, Nor is it passing safety inspections anymore.
The Chinook’s Edge School Division, which includes Carstairs, has announced that the existing playground will be decommissioned in the summer of 2026, they said.
Organizers are proposing a multi-phased approach to the construction of the upgraded and updated playground on school grounds.
The new playgrounds would feature key design elements such accessibility (ramps, smooth surfaces, and adaptive play equipment), space designed to encourage cooperative play, and modern, durable materials to “ensure a secure environment for every user.”
The estimated cost of the playground initiative would be between $500,000 and $1.2 million, with 50-60 per cent of the cost being for playground equipment and 20-25 per cent for safety surfacing (poured-in-place rubber, etc).
Council agreed to provide the foundation $2,500 towards an upcoming fundraising golf tournament, said town chief administrative officer Rick Blair.
Councillors also accepted the foundation report as information, he said.
