Waskasoo Playground Gazebo Project

Auction begins September 11 at 9:00 am and ends Sept 17th at 8:30 pm. Please SPREAD THE WORD -- USE THE SHARE BUTTONS to share this site by e-mail, facebook, pinterest, and twitter. The more bidders we have, the more successful we will be!

A COUPLE NOTES BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

1. To see all the items available, BE SURE TO HIT THE "VIEW ALL ITEMS BUTTON."

2. To make a bid, you will be asked to register. It takes just a few seconds and you will not receive any junk mail or have your address shared. Registration is only needed so you can BID ANONYMOUSLY AND be contacted if your bid is the winner.

3. We may be adding items while the auction is on, so come back often.

NOW POUR YOURSELF YOUR FAVORITE BEVERAGE, PUT YOUR FEET UP, AND BEGIN .... Happy shopping!!!!!

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INFORMATION ON THE GAZEBO PROJECT

WHAT IS IT?

The Waskasoo Community Association is raising funds to build a stone and recycled steel, 24' x 24' gazebo in the Waskasoo Playground. It will provide a much needed gathering space, shade for playground users (which we really need since we lost most of our park trees after the June windstorm), and water for the community gardens. It will be open to the public 24/7 so even if you don't live in Waskasoo, you will still be able to benefit from this great space!

WHY A GAZEBO, YOU ASK?

The gazebo responds to a primary need for the community as outlined in the City of Red Deer Waskasoo Community Plan. Because of intense development pressures on our neighbourhood, the City of Red Deer invested considerable time and expense to create a Neighbourhood Plan. Early on in the two years of research, it was determined that one of Waskasoo's primary needs is a place for social interaction and community building.

The plan recommends that the WCA take the lead and revitalize the Waskasoo Playground to transform it into just such a place. It also recommended that the gathering place be developed in a way that recognizes the input gathered from community members over the Community Plan research process. Thus the WCA constructed a community food forest and garden in the corner of the play field and is now adding a gazebo. In the future, we will also renovate the play structures and add a natural playspace. (Peruse the Waskasoo Community Plan here http://www.reddeer.ca/media/reddeerca/business-in-red-deer/planning-and-development-of-property/planning/Waskasoo-Community-Plan---Final-February-10-2016.pdf . See page 27 for a summary of the ideas put forward by community members for updating the playground )

WHAT EXACTLY IS MY MONEY SUPPORTING?

The gazebo will be 24’ x 24’ and constructed to municipal accessibility and safety standards out of concrete, stone, and recycled steel. It will remain open for versatility but will have a built in bench that will store rainwater collected from the roof. The total project cost is approximately $105 000.

We are applying for a matching grant from the Alberta Government which means the grant will cover up to half the cost of the project and must be matched by in-kind donations and cash. So far with the help of Shunda Consulting and Construction Management and Waskasoo community members we have put together enough in-kind donations of labour, equipment, and services that we need to raise only $5000 cash! Not bad for a $105 000 structure! We hope to reach that goal through this auction and a Community Garage Sale. (The Garage Sale will be held at Gateway Christian School from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday September 16th.)

WHAT IF WHAT I WANT TO BID ON IS ALREADY PURCHASED BY SOMEONE BUT I STILL WANT TO HELP OUT?

Of course, we are also open to plain old cash donations! You can e-transfer a donation to payments@waskasoo.info or you can drop off or mail a donation our Treasurer, Dean Cowan, at 5805 45th Ave. Red Deer Alberta, T4N 3M1. Please make cheques payable to the Waskasoo Community Association. (Note: We are a non-profit but not a charity, so we cannot issue tax receipts.)

YOU CAN ALSO HELP OUT BY SHARING OUR AUCTION THROUGH FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA. THE MORE PEOPLE WE REACH, THE MORE MONEY WE CAN RAISE!

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The Waskasoo Community Association's mandate is to make Waskasoo, a community of approximately 950 people, an even better place to live, work, learn, and play.