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School asks for votes
Weledeh principal says new playground needed

Svjetlana Mlinarevic
Northern News Services
Published Friday, Nov 2, 2012

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Looking at Weledeh Catholic school's playground, one would never suspect how dated and inadequate the structure really is.

"The equipment is 20 years old and outdated," said principal Simone Gessler. "It's half the size of what we need."

Gessler said the structure is currently being used by 400 students on a rotating class schedule due to its small size.

The school would like to replace the gravel in the yard with grass and Gessler said so far $12,000 has been raised through fundraising campaigns by students and matching donations by the school and the school board. As well, Braden-Burry Expediting contributed $1,200 and the Yellowknife Community Foundation kicked in $10,000 as sponsors.

Now, the school needs residents to support its bid to get support from the Aviva Community Fund.

"We need the Yellowknife community to vote. Our goal is to get $100,000. All the money will go to the playground," said Gessler.

"While it is a school playground, it is used during non-school hours by kids from all over (the neighbourhood)," she said.

To vote for Weledeh School, voters need to register on the Aviva Community Fund website. Once registered, voters can go to the Weledeh school page and click on the 'Vote Now' button. Voters can cast ballots only once a day but can show their support 15 times in each of the two qualifying rounds and in the semi-final round.

To find Weledeh's page, voters should look up ID number ACF15844 or type in "Bringing 'Fun' Back." So far the school has received 729 votes.

A panel of eight judges will vote on which of the 30 finalists will receive grand prizes ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 from the $1 million fund. Each finalist will also receive a minimum of $5,000.

Grand prize winners are selected by a set of weighted criteria.

To be eligible for the fund, entrants must have an idea that will "create, make, change, purchase, or otherwise be intended for the greater good of the community." Stand-alone projects have a better chance of funding than those that will require annual funding.

In 2010, the NWT SPCA was awarded $300,000 to build a new shelter.

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