Monday January 6, 2020 ~ LANGFORD
by Mary P Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
A big cheque for big dollars toward the Sarah Beckett Memorial Playground was presented to City of Langford council by Rotary Club of West Shore this evening, January 6, 2020.
The donation of $263,493.77 was an amount raised since March 2, 2019. Rotarians sold engraved bricks at $200 each through a Buy A Brick Campaign and also accepted cash donations large and small toward achieving the grand total. Funds also came from the Club’s Annual Lobster Fest and various BBQs during events in 2019.
The presentation was made at the start of the January 6, 2020 Langford Council meeting, by Rotary Club of West Shore President Lorne Olson and playground project leader Dianna Seaton (who is also a trustee with Sooke School District 62), supported by several Rotarian members.
“We loved being part of the project and we would like to present you with the cheque,” said Olson. To much applause, Dianna Seaton read out the amount of $263,493.77. The project goal of $250,000 was surpassed.
The January 6 Langford Council meeting was chaired by Acting Mayor Lillian Szpak. She said the fundraising was “done in Langford time”, as in being quickly achieved.
West Shore RCMP Cst Sarah Beckett died as the result of an early morning car crash in downtown Langford on April 5, 2016 while on duty. She was 32-years-old, a mother of two young boys. Her husband Brad Aschenbrenner has participated in various events in support of the Sarah Beckett Memorial Playground.
The Sarah Beckett Memorial Playground on Glen Lake Road behind Westhills Stadium was officially opened on August 24, 2019 as hosted by the City of Langford.
The first set of bricks were in place for the official opening. More bricks were sold after that, contributing to the cheque presented to Langford tonight.
Speeches last summer were given by West Shore RCMP Detachment Commander Inspector Todd Preston, Premier John Horgan, and Langford Mayor Stew Young.
“As Mayor, I’m proud of the overwhelming support of our residents, Rotary club, businesses and first responders all over our region who have supported Brad and his family in honour of Sarah Beckett,” said Mayor Young at the official opening last summer.
“Let’s always remember Sarah Beckett’s sacrifice to Langford and the west shore,” said Premier Horgan at the official playground opening last summer.
“The City of Langford has been nothing short of incredible — your support for RCMP, Sarah and her memory,” said Insp Preston at the opening last summer.
======== LINKS:
See full coverage of the Sarah Beckett Memorial Playground opening of August 24, 2019 in the August 23-25, 2019 weekend edition of West Shore Voice News.