The long wait for a new playground is over for students at Lakeville Elementary School in Oxford, as their new playground is now officially open.

Nearly 20 lucky students got their first run on Lakeville Elementary’s new playground last Wednesday during the “100 Club Playground Celebration.”

Families that donated $100 or more towards the updated playground became members of the “100 Club,” and were invited to enjoy food, a ribbon cutting ceremony and fun on the playground.

There was nothing but smiles as the students climbed, slid and ran around the new playground equipment, which features two slides, three sets of climbing bars, and a bridge.

“The other playground was so boring. This one’s really fun!” said Lakeville fourth-grader Chloe Verbeke, as she swung from a set of monkey bars.

Members of Lakeville’s Parent School Council (PSC) managed to raise over $10,000 in funds towards the purchase of the playground in just three months through fundraising efforts, with the help of the community.

District officials also provided matching funds towards the purchase.

“We want to thank (Superintendent) Tim Throne for matching our funds. Without that commitment of support, we would have never been able to be successful,” said PSC President Barbara Massie.

“Also, (Oxford Schools Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations) Sam Barna and (Oxford Schools Director of Maintenance) Tony Sarkins, from the district office. They were very helpful all the way.”

Members of the “100 Club” included the Ali, Ashcraft, Baxter-Bourgeau, Beatty, Bonin Zamundio, Burbas, Crawford, Delano, Farris, Faucett, Hendrickson, Marshall, Przybylski, Hubbard, Joshi, Kuhl, Lane, Massie, McCaffery, McDonough, Navarre, Roda, Thomason, Umscheid, Ventline and Verbeke families.

Also included were the staff of Casa Real, located in Oxford, CQ Marketing, Julian E. Mayin and the Fab Five.