Rendering by Blue Imp Recreational Products of Canada
A new playground is coming to Peace Arch Elementary, and construction kicked off Monday with the official groundbreaking ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by Surrey Board of Education trustee Laurae McNally, White Rock Mayor Darryl Walker and representatives from the Rotary Club of White Rock and Labourers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1611.
"Playgrounds are really crucial for schools because that's where kids learn how to cooperate, it teaches them balance, and it allows them to exercise every part of their body without even making the exercise look like work," said McNally. "They're very, very important for schools and I'm happy to see this one on its way."
The Rotary club and the city fundraised and donated $63,000 to the Peace Arch Elementary PAC to help pay for the playground. LIUNA, along with International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115 and B & B Contracting, donated to remove and replace the wood chips and some curbing, saving approximately $12,000 from the cost of upgrading the playground.
The playground will include a climbing wall, fireman's pole, trapeze bridge, ring ladder, monkey bars and numerous other features for play. It is also wheelchair accessible, offering numerous access points for students with physical disabilities.
McNally said excitement is in the air among the students at Peace Arch Elementary as they look forward to the playground being finished.
"It has been so much fun watching the kids - they are just totally consumed watching the big equipment, the kids love it," she said. "This is a big thing for Peace Arch, it really is."
Construction is expected to be complete on Jan. 4, just in time for students returning from winter break to try out their new playground.
