A West Kelowna mom and her supporters are closing in on their fundraising goal to build the first all-inclusive playground in the city.
Melissa Grassmick told council at its Nov. 22 meeting that just over $500,000 of their $750,000 goal has been raised for Julia乌鸦传媒檚 Junction. The playground is named after Grassmick乌鸦传媒檚 daughter, who suffered a spinal cord injury caused by a blood clot at 17 months old.
Grassmick said months of fundraising events have contributed to the total, and Julia has been an inspiration.
乌鸦传媒淚 think she乌鸦传媒檚 really proud to be part of it,乌鸦传媒� said Grassmick.
The City of West Kelowna has contributed $200,000 to the project and has provided support and advice from city staff.
乌鸦传媒淚 felt completely supported, valued, and included in all the details,乌鸦传媒� said Grassmick.
She added that corporate donors, charity contributions, grant funding, and personal donations have also bolstered fundraising. Julia乌鸦传媒檚 Junction will provide an all-inclusive and accessible playground for children of all abilities, as well as opportunities for socialization and a quiet space.
乌鸦传媒淭o give every child a chance to play together,乌鸦传媒� added Grassmick.
Coun. Garrett Millsap said there is a lot the city can learn from Grassmick乌鸦传媒檚 efforts.
乌鸦传媒淲hen we go to retrofit or build a playground we need to think about accessibility first.乌鸦传媒�
Coun. Carol Zanon thanked Grassmick for a lesson in awareness.
乌鸦传媒淔rom now on this is a lesson that I will carry with me all the time in any of the future projects that we乌鸦传媒檒l be doing,乌鸦传媒� she added.
Construction on Julia乌鸦传媒檚 Junction, which is planned for Westbank Town Centre Park, is expected to start April 1, 2023, with a grand opening near the end of June.
Grassmick said the fundraising continues.
乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e feeling pretty confident that we乌鸦传媒檒l hit our goal.乌鸦传媒�
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