GREATER ST. ALBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Community Spirit Brings New Playground to Life at J.J. Nearing Catholic Elementary School

Years of fundraising, determination and community collaboration were celebrated on Friday, October 9, as J.J. Nearing Catholic Elementary School officially opened its new playground.

Students, staff, families, trustees, City of St. Albert officials and community supporters gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of a project made possible through the extraordinary commitment of parents, volunteers, local partners and the Government of Alberta.

The playground project received $100,000 through the Government of Alberta's Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP), $100,000 from the City of St. Albert grant, and approximately $83,000 raised by the school community through initiatives including hot lunches, art card sales and a Math-a-thon.

In a letter shared during the celebration, Morinville-St. Albert MLA Dale Nally congratulated the school community on its achievement and recognized the collective effort behind the project.

"This new playground is much more than a place to play. It is a testament to what can be accomplished when a community comes together with a shared goal and a commitment to making a difference for its children," wrote Nally.

The Friends of J.J. Nearing fundraising group and dedicated parent volunteers championed the project, and their fundraising efforts began in 2022. Led by Chair Kaitlin Boyko, the group worked alongside the school community to turn a shared vision into reality.

Raymonde Roulston, Board Chair of Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools, expressed appreciation for the many individuals who helped bring the project to completion.

"We are deeply grateful to the parents, educators, School Council members, community partners and supporters who helped make this playground a reality," said Roulston. "Your dedication reflects the strong spirit of the J.J. Nearing community and what we can accomplish when people work together for our students."

For students, the new playground offers more than recreation. It provides a welcoming outdoor environment where friendships can flourish, confidence can grow, and children can develop important social and physical skills.

"This playground is so much more than a place to play. It's a space where friendships grow, imaginations come alive, confidence is built, and memories are made," said Shelby Moser, Principal of J.J. Nearing Catholic Elementary School. "We are incredibly grateful to the parents, volunteers and community supporters who worked so hard to make this dream a reality. Their dedication has created something truly special for our students and for generations of children to come."

The grand opening concluded with a ceremonial ribbon cutting involving student representatives, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the school community.

Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools extends its heartfelt appreciation to the Friends of J.J. Nearing, School Council and its sub-committee; New Park Build, parent volunteers, community partners, the Government of Alberta and everyone whose generosity and dedication helped make the playground a reality.

The new space will serve students and families for years to come, standing as a lasting reminder of what a community can achieve when it works together.