On a sunny day complete with giant scissors and an even bigger cheque, with the squeals of kids’ laughter in the background, the completed Centennial Park playground – a dream of Cochrane's service clubs and kids alike – was officially unveiled.
The playground re-do on Mountain Street was conceived and designed to allow children of all levels of ability equal access to fun.
Judging by the reactions of the kids on July 11, it was mission accomplished.
Larry Horeczy, CEO of Variety – the Children’s Charity of Alberta – was visibly emotional after the formal part of the ceremony was concluded on Monday.
“It really is such a rewarding experience, because not only are these kids having so much fun, but I think of all the children that I’ve known with disabilities, they don’t get to play with their friends, they don’t get to come out and use the playground," Horeczy said.
“Knowing they can go out and play with their friends, it’s . . . it’s very moving, very touching.
“Because the alternative is just so heartbreaking. It’s wrenching.”
He called the new playground a fun place where everybody’s going to want to play or hang out, adding the unique nature of the revamped amenity makes it more than just a playground.
“This is a community gathering space,” he said.
The significance of the project is heightened by the timing, according to Horeczy, coming as it does on the heels of a period of much social isolation caused by COVID-19.
“People with disabilities are already isolated, so this has been a very hard couple of years,” he said.
The new $300,000 playground is a result of a concerted group effort by a number of sponsors and partners, including: Variety - the Children’s Charity of Alberta, Kiwanis Club of Cochrane, the Town of Cochrane, Lions Club of Cochrane, Rotary Club of Cochrane, Spray Lakes Sawmills, Inter Pipeline, Kal Tire Replay Fund, the Cochrane Foundation, Cochrane GM, MDL Landscaping, Green Drop Products, Cochrane Rental Centre, and Big Fern Contracting.
The design and fundraising for the second phase has taken over two years, and the project goes back to 2017.
At the July 11 unveiling, Cochrane Mayor Jeff Genung had to speak up to be heard over the children swinging in the background.
“I’m happy to hear the laughter and see the smiles on the kids,” he said. “This is a park for all the kids of Cochrane.”
Kiwanis Club of Cochrane president Ron Gosselin was beaming with pride at the opening of the project, spearheaded by his club.
“This park was in real need of an upgrade so we’re pleased to be able to sponsor this. We had a lot of volunteers,” he said.
“As we see today, you got 50, 60 kids enjoying this park, because it’s really accessible to them. That’s the real key.
“Kiwanis is all about putting smiles on kids.”
