PELLY - Friends of Pelly is a group of dedicated volunteers who have begun fundraising for a playground in Pelly, after discovering there was no playground equipment in town.
Elie Lussier serves as chair, Christine Dunne serves as treasurer and Celo Wolsiffer handles the secretarial duties. Together they work with volunteers for their goals.
A story on SaskToday.ca from 2022 outlines Lussier’s beginning stage momentum for a proper playground in their community. Each time she walked by the weather-worn, frayed structure at the local Lions Park, constructed more than 30 years ago, the Pelly woman envisioned something better and embarked on a mission to see what could be done.
The earlier story on Lussier’s desire to get the ball rolling included a powerful statement, “Knowing that “someone” meant it was up to her, Lussier buckled down to research what the project would involve and rallied the talents and energies of five other local women to form a committee known as “Friends of Pelly.”
Copious amounts of time were spent by these volunteers in the Friends of Pelly group to research their vision that could turn into reality. These volunteers also affirm that the cost of a new playground is far more significant that most people realize.
As with many small communities, service clubs step up when help is needed and this playground fundraiser appreciated donations from Pelly Lions Club and Norquay Legion.
Lussier notes that there once was playground equipment in the town of Pelly, at the school. However, when the school closed, the school board had the equipment sold. This issue was brought to the attention of the town back in 2021, when Lussier requested to attend a town meeting to discuss her concerns.
“I was told by council that they could not afford to build a park and had no one lined up to take on that challenge. They would support me, and the group I assembled, to take on the role of raising money for that playground. I accepted that challenge and started seeking people who were interested in helping,” acknowledges Lussier.
That was in 2022, and fast forward to 2025 and the Friends of Pelly group remains steadfast in their goal to have a playground in their community.
$38,000 more needed to even start Phase One of project
So far, funds have been raised by donations from local businesses and residents, along with several barbecues, beer gardens, bake sales and Canada Day party. The group has since added in 50/50 draws and raffles and so far have raised $28,614.52.
The industrious playground initiative group is not deterred by their unsuccessful applications for grants that they have applied for in the last four years.
“We still need to raise $38,000 to do the first phase of the project with playground equipment for toddlers to seven- to eight-year-old children. At present, we’re trying to get a charitable status so that we can issue receipts to people who make donations, right now we are registered as a not-for-profit organization,” adds the Friends of Pelly group.
Lussier also appreciates Canadian Tire offering to help with this venture, and has donated a set of outdoor furniture to raffle off, as well as allowing the group to sell these raffle tickets at the Canadian Tire in Yorkton. The business has also advised the playground fundraiser that they will be donating something else in June for them to raffle to help reach their goal.
The playground group states, “There is a playground area behind the daycare here in Pelly that’s known as the Lions Park that includes an old outdated wooden structure that is certainly not in compliance with today’s health and safety standards. This is where the new playground equipment will be installed. There’s a large area there which presents a great location for a playground /park, just behind the daycare in town. “
The plan is to build the recreation space, focusing on the playground aspect, in three or four phases, putting in more equipment for older children and a half-sized basketball court and volleyball court for teenagers.
The passionate park fundraising committee states, “At present time, there is absolutely nowhere in this town for the children of any age to gather, play and be safe. This would not only benefit children. It would benefit people of all ages and families could take their children out for the afternoon or morning to some place where they can get exercise, meet other children and people in the community gather where it’s free for everyone. “
The west end of the property also has room to build structures for a Farmers Market, which may be especially beneficial to the community now that the grocery store was lost to fire. Lussier feels this could generate at least two jobs for a couple of local people who would do daily maintenance as well as manage the Farmers Market.
These volunteers are dedicating much time to this fundraising initiative. They will at the Yorkton Canadian Tire the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday in April, as well as every Thursday-Friday after that for the entire month, selling these raffle tickets.
They will also have a table at the Yorkton Farmers Market in the mall, selling baked goods, raffle tickets and 50/50 tickets.
Anyone interested in helping this dedicated group out in their efforts can contact Elie Lussier, Chair, 306-594-4148 or sending an email to [email protected]
