Rendering by Habitat Systems and Landscape Structures
Students at Old Yale Road Elementary will soon get to jump, climb and slide on a new playground, thanks to a grant from the provincial Ministry of Education.
After much anticipation, the playground is nearing completion with the help of a $125,000 provincial grant. The playground is scheduled to open after the winter break for students to enjoy.
"The district would like to thank the Ministry of Education for providing such a generous grant for this new playground," said Surrey Board of Education Chairperson Laurie Larsen. "Play is an important part of learning and this new equipment will help spark the imaginations of our students at Old Yale Road Elementary."
Principal Joe Leibovitch said the Old Yale Road community has been looking forward to their new playground since funding was announced, following the removal of the previous aging playground last year when it was deemed no longer safe.
"It was a desire for years to get an improved playground, but fundraising can be a challenge for a project as big as this," he said. "This grant allowed us to build a bigger playground that is more accessible."
Leibovitch noted the playground has elements that are accessible for students with disabilities, inspired by input from the family of an Old Yale Road student who is in a wheelchair.
He also said with COVID-19, the new playground presents more opportunities for students to be active when athletic programs have been cancelled or suspended, as well as for students with fewer chances to get outside normally.
"With the impact on inner city kids in particular, who often live in apartments and don't have a lot of open spaces, having public playgrounds such as this may be the only form of activity they have access to," said Leibovitch. "It's exciting in a very gloomy year for a lot of our kids and families to see this playground be built."
As for the students, Leibovitch said he's eager to see their reactions when the playground is finally ready.
"It's going to be euphoria for them," he said. "It'll be like Santa had come early. The kids are already saying, 'This is our school's Christmas present.'"
