John Diefenbaker elementary school is entering the 21st century of outdoor play with a new community-sponsored playground, featuring, among other things, unique swings and a small zip line.
Parent Lica Stroud helped organize the construction of the playground last week after about $102,000 had been raised over the course of years.
“It’s been years in the making,” said Stroud.
“When my son was in Kindergarten in 2005 there were parts of the old wooden structure falling apart and we realized we needed to do something. When they were children, parents had played on it. So it had its time.”
Parents and neighbours volunteered numerous hours of fundraising, culminating in the playground’s construction (again, with volunteer time) over the weekend.
The playground was expedited for the Diefenbaker neighbourhood, just northwest of Steveston Village, by a $36,000 donation from local developer Rick Illich, who matched funds from a silent auction this year. Stroud said there are countless other donors from the Richmond business community.
Like many other districts, the Richmond School District does not fund playground renovations and, until recently, there was no provincial funding for such projects. Now, funding remains limited as the Ministry of Education, earlier this year, earmarked $5 million for 51 new playgrounds province wide for high-need schools. In Richmond, for instance, Blundell received $90,000 in funding this year for a new playground, leaving Parent Advisory Committees (PACs) in other schools to fundraise on their own.
“Playgrounds are very expensive and we don’t get any money. It’s just really heartwarming to see everyone donate and be involved,” said Stroud.
Helping construct the playground were school principal Elaine Stapleton and vice-principal Trevor Shuto.
“It gives them newer options to play on and newer things to experiment and a reason to go out. This shows a community is willing to come together and do something for the kids in the area,” said Stapleton.
