The Tim Hortons’ smile cookie campaign raised nearly $10,000 for the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops this month.

General Manager Glenn Grant says it was nearly double what the Wildlife Park was expecting, with all proceeds going towards a fully accessible playground that he says could cost nearly $1-million by the time shovels are in the ground.

“The campaign far, far exceeded our expectations,” Grant told Radio NL.

“I’d like to think that it was because of the cause that its going towards. First its people supporting the park but also when they understand what the funds are going to be used for improving our playground to make it all include and completely accessible. It is important for everyone.”

“Every parent can tell you when they go up into our playground and try and push a stroller or a wheelchair or anything through the pea gravel that its really horrible.”

The BC Wildlife Park got 50 per cent of the proceeds from all of the Smile Cookies sold at Kamloops Tim Hortons stores between Nov. 13 and Nov. 19. The other 50 per cent of the proceeds went towards the Tim Hortons Kids Camp Foundation.

“We’re very fortunate and lucky that in Kamloops the local owners said, ‘how about this year we support the Wildlife Park and their playground project?'” Grant said. “It was overwhelming to get the support that we did.”

He told Radio NL the playground equipment is expected to be installed at the BC Wildlife Park by the spring of 2025.

“There is an awful lot to go and there are an awful lot of grants that have been written that are pending that we’re looking for,” Grant said. “Right now, a lot of it is awareness to the community with greater fundraising efforts coming in the winter and spring.”