Dontauy Smith, with some help from his dad, unveils a new piece of playground equipment at King George school. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community projects

Mother’s memory honoured with new playground equipment

Oct 15, 2021 | 5:00 PM

The legacy of a Prince Albert woman, who fought hard to build a new playground at her son’s school, has officially been solidified.

A new piece of equipment was unveiled Friday at King George school, bearing a plaque in honour of Chantel Smith. Her 11-year-old son Dontauy cut the ribbon and acknowledged to paNOW how proud his mom would have been.

“She really wanted to do this,” he said. “It went perfect.”

Chantel Smith lost her battle to cancer in July, 2020. Prior to her death, she had been a longtime member of the School Community Council. Her husband Shawn Smith expressed how happy and grateful the family was for the playground and the special recognition.

“I’m so happy that it turned out so well. I just cannot express how much I appreciate it,” he said.

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Smith recalled many nights where he and Dontauy would come to the school and play in the gym, while Chantel attended the SCC meetings. Chantel’s Aunt Elaine Ross drove in from Muskoday First Nation to attend Friday’s unveiling ceremony.

“She taught me and others around her that life is so fragile and so precious and so unpredictable and so you have to live it like right now because every day is a gift,” she said.

Shawn, Dontauy and SCC Chair Barb Wirsta admire the plaque. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Dontauy shares a hug with Wirsta. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

A view of the entire structure. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Acknowledging Chantel’s passion and dedication, Principal Art Feher said the playground equipment was the perfect way to honour her memory.

“She was a strong advocate for the kids, a strong advocate for the school and would always do anything to make the school a better place,” he said.

Fundraising for the playground equipment started just over two years ago, and the goal was $15,000.

“Knowing what it was going towards, we raised that money in a very short period of time,” Feher said.

In addition to the playground equipment, a new disc-golf course was also installed on the school grounds at a cost of $3,000.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell