Students at Langdale Elementary School are excited to spend $25,000 on new playground equipment in the 2012/13 school year, thanks to a grant from the provincial government announced last week.

“Playgrounds at schools were assessed in the fall and ours was found to be in need of refurbishing,” said principal Bob McCubbin. “The equipment was put in some time ago, especially what is by the portables. The paint is flaking off the metal, and in some places the paint has been rubbed off, which is an indication of how much it has been used.”

The well-used playground is in need of a lift and McCubbin said there are many suggestions being bounced around.

“We have some ideas, including the idea of a playground created from natural materials that students can go over, around and through. Think stumps, logs, rocks, a bridge maybe,” he said.

However, before an idea is settled on, there will be discussion with students, parents and staff at the school.

“The school year is winding down, which is a bit of a misnomer, because the energy level of the kids goes up, and so discussions about how to utilize the money and the details of the process will probably have to wait until school starts up again in September,” McCubbin said.