Local church holds “Run for Legacy” fundraiser to build indoor community playground

The 3,302 square foot “Legacy Playz” playground will be designed for children from ages five to 12 with a space for toddlers. There will be tunnels, monkey bars, and multiple slides, including one that begins on the second floor in the Home Church Kids section of the facility down to the first-floor play area, all themed with various creatures.

Inside the Legacy Place building tower where the Legacy Playz playground will be. Made of concrete, a slide will start in the Home Church Kids corner on the second floor (top sqaure) and arrive on the first floor. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

The Church says the purpose of the design and windowed exterior is to draw in families, members and non members of the Church, for connection and fun.

“When we talk about legacy, the first thing we think about is kids and the future. When we talk about Legacy Place in general, we’re talking about building something that lasts and really is investing into the next generation,” he said.

“Coming through the pandemic, kids need a safe place and they need to play. Kids need to enjoy their childhood and we really want to provide a place where kids enjoy; where they would love to come and play, but also be a part of having a spiritual education.”

LEGACY PLACE BUILDING

Mullen says the building itself has been a project 10 years in the making.

Their current building, adjacently located, holds 600 people and, once the new building is complete, will be used for the 240 students at their Destiny Christian School, weddings, funerals, and other events.

The new building, totalling $22 million, can seat 1,625 people, with the Kids section able to hold 600 children during one worship service. It will also have a 24-hour pray centre and a coffee shop.

Auditorium for worhship services, concerts and other events in the new Legacy Place building. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

“We want it to be a place that has a legacy for our community. Often churches are underutilized buildings; facilities that only get used one day a week,” he said, adding that he wants the Church to facilitate community connection and involvement as a whole.

Mullen says they raised the funds over the years through community sponsorships and donations by their 1,200 members. He says the Church is grateful for their hard work and devotion as many made sacrifices, like family vacations, to achieve the communal goal.

“I feel that the church should really be the heart of the community and our culture. We’ve kind of gone away from that, sometimes because of things that have happened in churches that have not been good, and I get that, but that doesn’t mean that everything is bad and I think that the church needs to be what the church is supposed to be in the community which is a safe place where people can gather, where people can find help,” he said.

Mullen said he hopes Legacy Place becomes a ministry centre where denominations across the province and country can meet, as well as a gathering space for community events like business conferences, concerts, and school graduations.

The Church offers various community programs such as lunches for kids in need, group ministries on various topics, and is working towards creating an addictions service as well.

FOR THE KIDS

Mullen said his desire to give back to the community began with his grandparents who always had an extra seat at the table for those in need. He says he hopes that the playground can become a way for kids to learn those same values in a fun space, as his four children did.

“I hear a lot of people talk about church that it’s boring or it’s too religious; they have their connotations of it. I think the values that are in the church are so important to the community but they just need to be presented in a way that’s got some fun to it,” he said.

Home Church lead pastor Jachin Mullen stands in front of Legacy Place and tower where Legacy Playz playground will be located, viewed from Highway 2A. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

He expects that the $400,000 play structure will take six months to put together following the full raising of the funds. He also anticipates the playground will have a small entrance fee in comparison to other indoor playground facilities.

A variety of donor opportunities are available and Mullen says a list of donor names will be placed in the playground. He adds they are also open to corporate sponsorship.

Interested runners can get their routes upon registration. Mullen says each run will start from a different location so they can all end around the same time in Capstone to celebrate with a block party. Free and open to the public, the party will have bouncy houses, hot dogs, music, ice cream, and face painting for the kids.

For more information and to register, visit their website.

—

Download the rdnewsNOW mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all the latest updates on this and other stories.

by Alessia Proietti

Local church holds “Run for Legacy” fundraiser to build indoor community playground

What's Trending