Students and staff at Maude Burke School pose with Ripley Ford representatives after the dealership's generous $20,000 donation. (Image Credit: Maude Burke Playground Fundraiser/Facebook)

By Cam Lee

More than halfway there

Maude Burke playground fundraiser surpasses $140 K

Apr 2, 2026 | 10:34 AM

Fundraising continues for new playground equipment at Maude Burke School in Melfort. 

Playground chair Ashley Toews told northeastNOW the current playground is divided into two divisions, so many of the students don’t play together. The younger students don’t have equipment that moves, including teeter-totters or items that spin. 

“We’re hoping to incorporate those items for those guys,” Toews said. 

Division Two students from Grades 3 to 6 currently only have a climbing arch and a couple of swings. Toews said they hope to introduce some different elements and slides.

The Maude Burke Playground Fundraiser has managed to raise enough money to secure a SaskParks grant that must be spent by March 2027, and Toews said that pushes the group to install Phase One of the equipment in the spring or summer.  

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“That’s kind of pushing us to get things done a little bit quicker, but it is nice to put a wrap to the project too, and not have it dragging on,” explained Toews. 

The goals of the fundraiser, which launched in January, have changed as more money has been raised. The initial goal was to raise $100,000 for new equipment, but with the generosity of residents and businesses, that has already been surpassed and is sitting at around $140,000. Toews said the new goal, including the grant money and public donations, is to bring in $225,000. 

“That would allow us to install our second phase with the accessibility playground, so that’s what I’m hoping to do this fall,” Toews said. “If we can continue to see the support of our community come in, and I’ve been applying for other grants as well, so we’re really hopeful that we can get to that [fundraising goal].” 

Toews said playground equipment is incredibly expensive, and money doesn’t go far when purchasing the equipment. She hopes the fundraiser continues to bring in community support. 

“I really just wanted to send out a heartfelt thank-you to our entire community for the support that we’ve seen. It’s just amazing and something that we did not anticipate at all,” Toews said. Donations have been received from students who went to Burke School students decades ago, and people that have long since moved from Melfort. 

Any donation of $250 or more will have the donor’s name put on a plaque that will be displayed on the playground. There are various tiers of sponsorship as well, with Ripley Ford recently donating $20,000 as a diamond tier sponsor (for donations over $10,000). Donations can be given to Ashley or through Maude Burke School. 

Toews said it will be a supervised installation of the equipment, meaning they are looking for help from the community to get the equipment in. Donations could include time on the skid steer, fencing, sand, and donation of time from those experienced with tools. 

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com