Father Gorman Community School has been reunited with its beloved playground, destroyed by a devastating fire on August 27th. The fire was heartbreaking, but the spirit of resilience and unity has led to the playground’s remarkable and timely transformation.
In the early hours of that fateful Tuesday, flames engulfed the playground, reducing slides and climbing structures to ash. Just days before welcoming students back, staff was struck by the sudden realization that the familiar sounds of playground joy would be gone. The playground is vibrant with reunions and where new friendships begin in childhood. Instead, the loss cast a shadow over students and teachers. “We used to play there every day last year,” said seven-year-old Zaine, “Now, we just have to wait.” Teachers noticed a change in the students’ morale, as the playground fulfilled a crucial role in helping Kindergarten to Grade 2 make friends, harness imagination, and stay active. We made the best of it, finding alternate ways to engage the children and maintain a sense of community during this challenging time.
In the face of sadness, Lloydminster Catholic School Division Director of Education Nigel McCarthy, swiftly set all the wheels in motion, coordinating efforts and resources to ensure the playground’s rebuild was a top priority for the Division. This year’s LCSD theme of “Building the Kingdom” perfectly encapsulates the community’s collective response to adversity. Instead of allowing the loss of the playground to diminish their spirit, everyone came together to create something better—an accessible, inclusive space that serves all children. Through hardship, we have built a stronger, more united community dedicated to supporting every child. The City of Lloydminster, local organizations, businesses, and families contributed to a fundraising campaign that quickly surpassed its goal of $40,000. The spirit of “Achieving, Believing, and Serving,” has resonated with volunteers who came together to build a playground that would be inclusive for all children, regardless of their abilities.
“We wanted to ensure that every child feels welcomed and valued,” said Principal Scott Young. “This new playground features adaptive swings, sensory play areas, and wheelchair-accessible paths, allowing all kids to play side by side.”
A glorious new playground has taken the place of the old one that was lost, welcoming our children. On November 1st, the Grand reopening brought together the City, the business community, Knights of Columbus, parents and students. We watched as children reclaimed their space to play, explore, and create lasting memories together. The new playground reflects the resilience of the community and reminds us of what can be built and achieved when we come together in the spirit of service.
The swings, play zones, slides, and accessible features offer a new space in the Kingdom for children to explore the joyful faith that is at the heart of Father Gorman Community School and LCSD. The playground may have been rebuilt from the ashes, but it symbolizes so much more: a space where dreams can flourish and every child’s laughter can echo, we are “Building the Kingdom” and creating a brighter tomorrow, together.
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