The more than 500 students at Alex Hope Elementary had a lot more to play with at recess and lunch this week.
Working in the heat, dozens of parents and volunteers installed a much-anticipated playground over the weekend.
Members of the Online Collision Playground Initiative were barbecuing up a storm in support of the work put in.
The populated Walnut Grove school had been without a playground all year because the 20-year-old playground equipment was deemed unsafe and demolished.
The school’s PAC had to come up with $100,000 to get a new playground.
A very determined group, the PAC held many fundraisers including a poker tournament, bake sales and raffles. Super Save Group has donated $10,000 and the Great Canadian Dollar Store donated $1,300.
But then, a Christmas gift came their way from Langley family-owned Online Collision. The local business donated $30,000.
At the same time, Township came through with a $25,000 one-time grant. The Fort Langley Lions are also helping out.
“Online Collision, (owned by the Kruger family) decided to start this Playground Initiative, and decided to start with us,” said Alex Hope PAC president Karen Moore.