Crane Lake West Playground Fundraiser

Residents hope for a two new playgrounds on Crane Lake

Residents of Crane Lake are fundraising, in the hopes, to build a playground on the west-end of the lake, where a growing number of young families reside.  “Crane Lake is a community of approximately 61 houses, with about 149 people that live there year round. The numbers are increasing with lots of young families with children,” explains Sheryl Kalinski, a resident who is helping organize fundraising efforts.

“There’s a playground on the East Side of the MD Campground, but nothing on the West Side, as of yet. CLASS, Crane Lake Advisory & Stewardship Society, is hoping to work with the MD of Bonnyville on the new, larger scale, playground – exact location to be determined – but will be  somewhere at the West Campground, where the local community as well as campers, will be able to utilize it – same as the East Playground.”

“We are hoping to sit down with the MD of Bonnyville this fall to finalize the design, location, and costs. Hoping to have a possible start of construction for next year.” Kalinski says fundraising has already begun,  “CLASS has held 2 BBQ Fundraisers at Crane Lake this year. First, on Canada Day, Hamels Meats donated some hotdogs,  and the second this past weekend while the WCWA (Western Canadian Watercross Association), jet ski races, were being held at the West Campground. We’ve raised a couple thousand dollars so far but still have a ways to go and every little bit helps!”

Along with the fundraising initiative for a park on the west-end of the lake, the Municipal District of Bonnyville is looking in to Provincial Grant options for getting a “Natural Playground” at the beach.  Should the MD be successful, the MD hopes to have the Natural Playground constructed after the camping season this year. This is a separate playground from the west-end park.

With the WCWA Finals being held this coming weekend, August 20 & 21, at the West Crane Lake beach, CLASS has decided to hold another BBQ Fundraiser for the playground from 11am-3pm on Saturday. There will be glitter tattoos for the kids as well as amazing entertainment by the racers! If anyone is interested in volunteering for this weekend’s BBQ, please contact Sheryl Kalinsky @ 780-573-6503.

As for questions or ideas regarding the new playground, please contact the MD of Bonnyville or Chad Doucet, CLASS President, @ 780-645-9736.