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Volume 21-Issue 1098
Credible up-to-date News that you want to know.
September 30, 2025
Community Collaboration Brings New Toddler Playground To Vermilion
Members of the Vermilion Lions Club and Rotary Club with other volunteers once the playground was complete. Photo Lorna Hamilton
Lorna Hamilton
on the project herself. Stalwick accepted ral and rewarding. “It’s extremely important and purchasing surfacing material. the challenge and has been working toward as this is a smaller community, and it is an For everyone involved, the collaboraFrom September 18 to 20, the Vermilthis toddler playground ever since. excellent way to pool our resources for the tion has been the most rewarding aspect ion Lions Club and Vermilion Rotary Club, The project was made possible through good of the town,” said Warkentin. “This has of the project. “The playground would not with the assistance of the Town of Vermila mix of fundraising, grants, and generous been a four-year journey for us. My young- have been possible without the collaboraion, came together to break ground and community support. The Lions Club hosted est was in a baby bucket being ‘dragged’ tion between the Lions Club, Rotary Club, install new playground equipment designed a steak and lobster supper at the regional to meetings and site visits—he’s now four, and the Town of Vermilion,” said Stalwick. specifically for children under the age of centre in 2022, with proceeds going toward and I can’t wait to take him to play on this “The number of people who volunteered five. The new addition is located across STARS and the playground fund. They playground.” their time and worked on this project has the street from the Alliance Church, where also secured a $30,000 Community FacilThe Rotary Club contributed funds been inspiring.” sunny skies and temperatures in the mid to ity Enhancement Program grant and addi- raised through initiatives such as their The playground is now officially open high 20s made for the perfect backdrop to tional funding from the Vermilion Wellness Harvest Gala, Canada Flag project, and and ready for children to enjoy. Lookthree days of community effort. Coalition, through an Alberta Blue Cross cash and fair raffles. They also played a ing ahead, both clubs hope to host a For Lions Club member and playgrant, to support the purchase of parent- key role in organizing volunteers for the community grand opening in the spring ground project chair Veronica Stalwick, and-tot swings. installation. to celebrate the success of the project. the inspiration for this project came from “The parent and tot swings are my favouSupport came from many corners of the Reflecting on the experience, Warkentin a very personal place. In 2022, when her rite,” said Stalwick. “I’ve already tested them community. The Vermilion Co-op and Kirby expressed gratitude for the partnership. first daughter was just a year old, she and out with my daughters, and they love them. Whitlock provided lunches, Pat Calyniuk “This project has been a labour of love, a friend took their children to the park but They can even swing together with my four- donated snacks, and the Parkview Alli- and I am humbled that the Lions Club, quickly realized that the equipment was not year-old on the bigger swing.” All of the new ance Church allowed use of their facilities who are known for playground projects, suitable for toddlers. “The kids wanted to equipment features a low fall height, making for breaks. Local businesses like Webb’s, asked us Rotarians to partner with them. go on the big slide, but there were openit safe and suitable for toddlers. Triple T Carpet Cleaning, and Lloyd’s Limb We are already excited for future collaboings with five-foot falls. I stayed at the top of Recognizing the size of the project, Services who offered equipment, services, rations for the benefit of the town.” the slide and my friend stayed at the bottom the Lions Club approached the Vermilion and supplies, as well as Vermilion Ready With this new toddler-friendly addition, so we could keep them safe,” Stalwick Rotary Club for support. Erwin Warkentin, Mix for its services. The Town of Vermilion the park now welcomes children of all ages, explained. When she brought her concerns Rotary Club project chair for the playground, was instrumental as well, handling exca- offering safe and inclusive play for families home, her mother, already a Lions Club shared that the partnership was both natu- vation, auguring holes, supplying workers, in Vermilion and the surrounding area. member, suggested that she join and take Reporter
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