Third-generation playground equipment thanks to Rotary club

LETHBRIDGE – Rotarians take quite a bit of pride in this particular corner of Lethbridge.

Ravine Park, in the south end of the city near Scenic Drive, is also known as the Sugar Bowl, with a view and trail connection to the coulees. Members of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge East (RCLE) first contributed $5,000 in 1979 for playground equipment which they installed themselves.

In 1989 the equipment needed replacing and the club was there again. And last year, another request was made by the city. This time RCLE raised $7,500 which was matched by Rotary District 5360. That sum was then matched by a grant from the province’s Community Facility Enhancement Program. The new playground was officially dedicated Friday, Nov. 25

“Times have changed. The design of playground equipment has evolved quite drastically,” said Audrey King, RCLE co-president, who said it’s not just for small children, with a circuit fitness component for those over the age of 13.