Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 09/02) - The French school board has finally found a suitable site for playground equipment after two years.

The equipment was installed late last month at Ecole Allain St. Cyr and William McDonald schools by volunteers which included school staff, parents, Yellowknife Education District No. 1 and the Commission Scolaire Francophone (French school board).

"We were originally looking at the site on the other side of (Ecole Allain St. Cyr)," said trustee Suzette Montreuil.

But when we finally got public works to come look at the site they said it would be quite costly to develop that site for a playground."

It was not until Ecole Allain St. Cyr, which sits on land owned by Yellowknife No. 1, formed an agreement with William McDonald school to share the equipment that the project got underway.

"We've come to an understanding that both schools are happy with," said Montreuil.

William McDonald principal Gordon Breen said the deal works well for both schools.

"It was a co-operative venture and I'm, quite pleased with it," said Breen.

Yellowknife No. 1 did not spend any money for the playground equipment or its installation.

The $35,000 worth of equipment plus installation and landscape costs were covered by the French school board, which received funding from the Yellowknife Association of Francophone Parents, and the Department of Education Culture and Employment.