The Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood donated $27,500 to Waverly Public School to help with their $60,000 fundraising efforts to build their first-ever playground. 

In the photo are Sherri Parr , phys. ed. teacher and on the right, Rotary Club President Sue MacKinnon handing the cheque to Sherri while students and parents look on. Thank you to award winning Rotary Club of Oshawa photographer Randy Nickerson (from snapd Oshawa) .

The Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood, together with personal donations by many of its members, are donating $27,500 to Waverly Public School for their first-ever playground on October 22 at noon, at the school it was announced today by David Penney, President of the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood.

“The Rotary Club fundraising campaign, led by Rotary Club Past President Dr. Larry Hurren, will cover almost half the funds for the playground, and represents a huge boost to the Waverly Public School fundraising efforts,” President Penney added.

Sherri Parr, the physical education teacher announced, “Waverly Public School has already raised over $30,000 of the $60,000 goal. Rotary’s $27,500 make this project so close to now being a reality – a real dream come true.”

“Now, with this generous donation from the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood, we can start the bidding process to get this playground built this Spring”, she added. 

After celebrating their 50 th anniversary at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, students at Waverly Public School, located at 100 Waverly St South in Oshawa, were tasked with deciding what they wanted in their school yard, a BRING BACK PLAY initiative brought forward by Sherri Parr and supported by the SCC (School Community Council).

Amanda Chapman, the school’s principal, says many of the students voted for pavement type games, a ball area, soccer posts in each age division, a playground, and an obstacle type course.

“The solution was obvious,” she says. “Give the students what they asked for, something to climb and build their physical literacy, a fitness playground.” 

Since this will be the school’s first playground, they wanted to make sure the design would make the space useful for all students.

Located in a priority neighbourhood, the team at Waverly is “dedicated to creating opportunities for students to enjoy an active lifestyle and create habits that will last throughout their lives.”

Dr. Hurren said, “We are pleased to be able to join Waverly’s other major supporters PHE Canada/Astra Zenica Canada , Re/MAX JAZZ, and Their Opportunity in our service to the youth here at Waverly Public School”.

Sherri Parr, the physical education teacher, applied for the PHE Canada “At My Best” grant during the home learning sessions in June. “At My Best” has been a program that she has used throughout the years because it facilitates physical activity, emotional well-being and healthy eating. It was here she saw an opportunity to apply for a grant that aligned with the fitness-based playground goals and the school was successful in obtaining $2,000 towards the playground.

In addition to the grant, the entire Waverly Public School community has been working to fundraise to reach their goal of $60,000 to build the playground and they are now almost there.

Jenn Pauls, Waverly’s SCC Chair, said “ Our entire community is in support of Waverly’s Fitness Playground Project.  This playground is so important to all of us, even those who have graduated from the school support this project.  My oldest son has saved $300 to donate and many others have donated their time to help with fundraising initiatives. 

Kim Holmes, one of our parents and SCC members, has been organizing bottle drives and weekly deposit bottle pick ups with all proceeds going towards getting this community their first, all-ages playground”.

Lisa Joy MacDonald lives in the community and has supported this project along with Walmart Canada both donating $1,000 each to Waverly’s Fitness Playground.  “Waverly Public School’s back yard is our families safe, social hub.  We are so excited for the Parkwood Rotary Club to join our team, to help build this dream!”

The Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood is calling on the business community in Oshawa and other service clubs to support Waverly’s fundraising efforts for their first-ever playground to get them over the top. Individuals can visit bit.ly/waverlyplayground for direct donations or join our fundraising app, www.flipgive.com by using the code 27NTTC.  You can also donate your deposit bottles and cans to Gibb West Community’s Bottle Drive on Saturday November 13th at Glen Stewart Park in Oshawa from 11am-1pm, with all proceeds going to Waverly’s Fitness Playground.

Principal Chapman says there have been many initiatives, happening in 2021 supported by parents, and several community members, including many from their School Community Council, with proceeds going towards the playground project. 

She is impressed by the amount of support for Waverly’s Fitness Playground. “ With Rotary’s generous donation we are almost there. Please help us rise above, climbing is what we love! “, she added.

“We are happily accepting sponsorship and personal donations,” she says.

For more information, contact waverlyps@ddsb.ca or call 905-728-4461.