Little Tractors Bring Big Smiles To Lakeland College

A special delivery brought plenty of smiles to Lakeland College’s Vermilion campus recently, as Webb’s Machinery Ltd. and New Holland Agriculture surprised the college’s human services faculty with seven child-sized ride-on tractors and three trailers for the new natural playscape at the renovated Newcombe N. Bentley Building.

While the campus is no stranger to tractors travelling across its grounds during harvest season, this particular convoy was a little different. Children from the Webb family took the driver’s seats, personally delivering the miniature tractors to their new home.

The donated fleet included a metal pedal tractor with wagon, two plastic pedal tractors with back hoe and trailer, two blue scoot tractors and two pink scoot tractors.

The thoughtful donation came ahead of the Bentley Building’s official grand opening on October 2 and will provide young children with another opportunity for imaginative outdoor play.

Lakeland College President and CEO Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart highlighted the special delivery in her October message to the college community.

“The celebrations also included a delightful surprise before the official opening. Our longtime friends and supporters at Webb’s Machinery and New Holland donated a fleet of child-sized ride-on tractors for the building’s new natural playscape. Even better, children from the Webb family delivered the surprise themselves, driving the tractors into the playscape to the delight of our human services faculty,” said Dr. Wainwright-Stewart.

“It was a wonderful reminder of the generosity and community spirit that make Lakeland so special, and a fitting way to celebrate a space where future early childhood educators will develop their skills.”

The donation reflects a longstanding relationship between Lakeland College, Webb’s Machinery and New Holland Agriculture. New Holland’s partnership with the college dates back to 2011, supporting hands-on agricultural education through equipment provided for Lakeland’s Student-Managed Farm. Webb’s Machinery has also played an important role in that relationship, providing equipment support and technical expertise.

For Webb’s Machinery, a fourth-generation, family-owned Alberta business with roots dating back to 1933, the donation represents another opportunity to give back to the community.

In a Facebook post celebrating the occasion, Webb’s Machinery expressed its appreciation for the partnership.

“We’re so lucky to have great partners in Lakeland College and New Holland Agriculture, and it’s nice to see that partnership make a difference right here at home. Hopefully these little tractors bring plenty of smiles to the little ones at the new Bentley Building!”

The renovated Bentley Building provides modern learning spaces for Lakeland’s human services programs, including early childhood education, while the outdoor natural playscape offers opportunities for children to explore, learn and play.

Thanks to the generosity of Webb’s Machinery and New Holland, the youngest visitors to the playscape will now have their own little fleet of tractors, ready for plenty of adventures. - Photos submitted -