By Spencer Sterritt

New Boys & Girls Club playground a dream come true for kids

Sep 23, 2017 | 3:17 PM

NANAIMO — The start of the weekend was extra special for the kids at Nanaimo’s Boys & Girls Club.

When they stepped outside to the playground at the facility on Fifth St., they were shocked to discover everything had been repainted, there was a new sandbox, hopscotch and Twister painted on the ground and a chalk mural along the wall to draw on.

“Hallelujah,” one child said, seemingly in shock.

The renovation was completed on Friday by more than 80 Coast Capital Savings staff.

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Kelly Barnie with the Club said watching them work tirelessly throughout the day was a dream come true.

“We had put together a lengthy list of all the things which would be awesome. They came out to talk to our program leaders and asked ‘if we could change this area, what would you want?’”

Barnie said even though she knew what was happening, she was as shocked as the children to see the outdoor space completely revamped.

“This is an area where these kids get to come out, belong and just be kids and play,” she said. “We’ve got creative arts, we’ve got physical activities and game to encourage social skills, now all out here in the play space.”

Roughly 100 kids count the Boys and Girls Club as a home away from home.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit