A group of parents is hoping to help raise some money for a new playground at A.E. Bowers Elementary school.

On August 15th, one of the playgrounds went up in flames. Airdrie RCMP alleges a 14-year-old girl set the rubber surface of the park on fire and charged her with arson in relation to the incident.

After that happened the Friends of AE Bowers Elementary held a couple of bottle drives to help raise money to replace it.

“We live right across from the school, so we were one of the first to see the playground was on fire,” said Samantha Shannon, vice chair of Friends of AE Bowers Elementary. “That got my family more involved with the parent council in the school, so we’ve been working with them and this will be our third bottle drive with the school.”

The playground is one of two located at the school and is co-owned by the City and Rocky View Schools. RVS and the City of Airdrie are currently in talks with their insurance providers about replacing the structure. While those talks are on-going, the Friends of A.E. Bowers want to ensure the playground is rebuilt bigger and better.

Shannon says they’re doing one last bottle drive in 2019 and hoping the entire Airdrie community will support them.

“It is a big loss, the community was out within 48 hours and collecting bottles from the community, neighbourhood kids had lemonade stands,” said Shannon. “Even if insurance is going to cover some of this, to rebuild anything it costs money and our community has really rallied around it which is great.”

Shannon adds the other two bottle drives have brought in just under $1,000.

The last drive of the year will be taking place on Tuesday, October 15th between 7:30 A.M. and 6:30 P.M.

Dropoffs can be made to the large white cube truck that will be located outside of the school at 1718 Summerfield Blvd. SE.

 

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