With formal Canton Board of Education approval Tuesday night, the Cherry Brook Primary School PTO is moving full steam ahead with its plan to replace two aging playgrounds at the school.
The organizations plans to use a combination of its own money, donations, grants and special fundraisers for the estimated $200,000 plus project. The has about $61,500 it will be able to spend, estimates $65,000 in grants, $53,00 in fundraising and another $32,000 in donations.
"We really feel with donations and grants we should be able to raise enough money," CPBS PTO president Tracy Renaud said.
The group plans to replace both aging structures at the school with accessible, inclusive community playgrounds that have a variety of features and Poured in Place (PIP) surfaces. With moisture resistance properties and ease of cleaning, the surfaces allows playgrounds to be used on many days when others can't, said Anne Marie Pelletier, co-vice president of the PTO.Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The PTO has spent the last three months working on the project, researching area playground projects, looking into grant opportunities, talking with officials and teachers, forming three committees, soliciting help and more.
The PTO is also planning other ways to engage the community.
Renaud said planned fundraisers are designed to avoid conflicts with other efforts and asking too much of community members who give to so many efforts.
The first two fundraisers are as follows:
- Evening Shopping Extravaganza from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 in the Cherry Brook Cafeteria. Home party consultants and local artisans will showcase their collections, each donating a percentage of their sales from the evening towards the playground project. The community is welcome to attend, and light refreshments will be provided.
- The Harlem Wizard’s trick-hoops & alley-oops basketball team will be playing a team comprised of teachers representing three of Canton’s schools at Canton High School at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014. Tickets will go on sale to the public at Valley Sports Center starting on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013. Tickets are $10 for students and $12 for adults in advance, or $15 for both groups at the door. Interested in playing against the Harlem Wizards? Five team spots will be raffled off to community members age 18 and older. Raffle tickets will also be sold at Valley Sports Center starting on Dec. 14.
Anyone interested in making a tax deductible donation to the playground project can send their checks made out to CBPS PTO and sent to
PTO Playground Project
4 Barbourtown Road
Canton, CT 06019.
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Those willing to help with the project can contact Renaud at (860) 693-3720 or tzrenaud@yahoo.com.
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