Ratushniak Elementary School receives donations for upcoming inclusive playground. (Image Credit: Ratushniak Elementary School/ Facebook)

By Alyssa Rudolph

LOCAL DONATIONS

Maidstone students to benefit from upcoming inclusive playground

Sep 11, 2026 | 4:44 PM

Students with mobility challenges at Maidstone’s Ratushniak Elementary School will soon have more opportunities to play alongside their peers, thanks to an upcoming inclusive playground project.

The school received $27,900 from Canadian Natural’s charitable golf tournament and roughly $13,000 from Lloydminster and District Co-op toward the project.

“We have students who aren’t able to participate fully in all of the equipment that we currently have,” said Trish Markevich, vice-principal and student support at Ratushniak Elementary School. “Our goal is to purchase equipment that will enable all students to participate.”

Markevich said the playground equipment is expected to cost roughly $170,000, not including installation or groundwork.

Among the planned additions is a swing designed to accommodate students who use wheelchairs.

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“So the wheelchair students can go in, they get locked in place, and then there are two benches on the sides. The students sit on the sides who are able to sit on the sides,” she explained.

The school also plans to add a zip-line-style piece of equipment with a chair that can secure a student while another person pushes them along.

“It’s exciting. It’s going to be wonderful to see all different levels of students in their mobility needs being able to use the same equipment together and enjoying playing on it.”

The equipment will also provide opportunities for people beyond the school.

“We have an adult group home and so some of these pieces of equipment are also going to be usable. Not only our group home, but all our kids that are younger preschool kids, all of those children that may have challenges with mobility or accessing the regular playground equipment this will provide opportunities for families as well,” she said.

The school will continue fundraising and applying for available grants as it works toward covering the remaining costs.

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com

by Alyssa Rudolph

Maidstone students to benefit from upcoming inclusive playground

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