The children at the Pembina Valley Child Care Centre in Morden are the beneficiaries of over $16,000 in donations. This money was given to the centre Friday afternoon and will help cover the cost of the various playground renovations the centre is looking at doing.

There was a pair of contributions given Friday. The first was a matching partnership with the Community Foundations of Canada ($7,455) and the Morden Area Foundation ($7,455) for a total of $14,910.

"I had applied to the Morden and Area Foundation for support in this project. It was Lynda MacLean that said there is a Canada 150 grant, let's see if we can get you in on this," said PV Child Care Centre Executive Director Shuana Richards. "That was how it came about and it was perfect. It was good for us."

This donation will cover the costs of resurfacing of the infants and toddlers part of the playground.

Another $2,375 was given to the Centre from the YIP/EMMS for a new balance beam.

"Lynda (MacLean) was talking with Beck Williams who teaches that grade five class and we thought this was something they could do. So, we picked two projects that they could help us to and they picked the balance beam," said Richards. "We've ordered it, but haven't installed it yet."

The Centre has enough space for 112 kids and making more place and things for them to play on really helps with keeping them all safe while having a good time outside.

Richards noted they are still working on other projects in the playground which include a hill and other obstacles for the kids to play on, but still need to raise roughly $5,000 for this portion of the renovations.

Before the Friday check presentations the Centre held a BBQ to raise some funds for this project and prior to Friday the centre has been selling prize calendars, which the community has donated prizes for and have been accepting donations. By doing this they've collected over $2,500.