YMCA seeking public’s help after playground destroyed

Regina’s YMCA is asking for the public’s help to rebuild one of its daycare playground structures after its members found the wood-and-plastic play site completely trashed Monday morning.

“When you get the little people there, it’s just really an experience that they don’t need to see,” YMCA CEO Steve Compton said on the 980 CJME Greg Morgan Morning Show. “It’s something we just want to get back to normal as quickly as possible, because kids are out there every day.”

The playground was part of the YMCA daycare centre at Marion McVeety school, in Regina’s south end and a few blocks west of Hillsdale Street.

Compton estimated that the cost to rebuild it will be about $5,000.

“As a charity in the city, it’s a pretty unwelcome expense,” he said.

“The play structure was completely demolished, and the pieces left around the yard and the kids’ play yard. That’s pretty unfortunate and unnecessary.”

Photos shared on the Hillsdale Community Association Facebook page show pieces of busted wood and red and blue plastic strewn about a gravel play area.

Compton said the vandalism has been reported to the police, but they haven’t found any suspects yet. He said the incident likely happened over the weekend.

“We’d be really appreciative if anyone would consider making a financial contribution, or if you happen to be in a business that is in that kind of business where there’s outdoor play structures, or if it’s something you might have, we’d really appreciate it,” he said.

“Obviously the kids are out there every day, and with the cold weather coming, we’d like to get it restored and back in tip top shape.”

By 8 a.m. on Wednesday, it appeared that the YMCA was halfway to reaching its goal for the rebuild.

Sherwood Co-op CEO Troy Verboom committed to donating $2,500 to the cause.

“Stories involving kids always tug at our heart strings,” he said.