Courtesy: CHAT Newsroom

By Angela Kazmierczak

Pink bench presented to Dr. Ken Sauer School

Feb 15, 2023 | 5:46 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Elementary schools in Medicine Hat are celebrating the addition of a bright pink bench.

On Tuesday, Feb. 15, Dr. Ken Sauer School was presented with a pink bench by Blue IMP to reinforce kindness, all year round. Blue IMP intends for it to strengthen the students and the community.

Student Olivia thinks the bench is a great addition. “It’s very pretty. It’s a good idea,” she said.

All Medicine Hat elementary schools received a bench from Blue IMP, a Canadian playground manufacturer based in Medicine Hat.

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Benches are to be installed next week.

General Manager of Blue IMP, Michael Rasmussen, says it’s one way IMP can give back to the schools.

“We wanted to have something that we could give back and help speak to Pink Shirt Day, anti-bullying, being kind and that coincides with our experience with the rainbow buddy bench that we’ve had for a few years,” said Rasmussen.

The pink bench is an extension of the buddy bench previously displayed. The benches are meant to help kids communicate when they are having a tough time and need a friend to sit with them.

Rasmussen says so far, the benches have been well-received.

As for Mark Davidson, superintendent of the Medicine Hat Public School Division, he says the meaning of the bench will align with the school’s vision.

“We want our schools to be places where everybody feels welcomed and cared for, and that they are free to be themselves and that when they sit on that bench, they are always able to find someone to be there with them,” said Davidson.