"Who likes recess?" MLA Adam Walker raises his hand to the question posed by Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham as they make the opening of the accessible playground at Nanoose Bay Elementary School official. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW).

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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Funds delivered for accessible playground at Nanoose Bay Elementary School

Apr 12, 2022 | 4:39 PM

NANOOSE BAY— Supporting an active and inclusive school community has gotten much easier at Nanoose Bay Elementary School.

The province officially revealed $165,000 at a Tuesday, April 12 ceremony toward the costs of a recently installed accessible playground, which replaces a deteriorating wooden playground structure.

Principal Kevin McKee said the new infrastructure has made a great impact.

“You can’t develop without having these sorts of equipment in schools. Seeing what we had here prior with our old playground for where we are now, I come out here with a smile on my face every single day seeing all of these kids just having a blast,” McKee said.

The enhanced soft surface playground includes wide steps, safety bars and equipment for students in wheelchairs to use.

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McKee said having a vastly superior playground to what existed for years will help elevate the physical and social literacy of their students now and for years to come.

Nanoose Bay Elementary School principal Kevin McKee, alongside MLA Adam Walker and Minister Lana Popham, speaking at the official unveiling of an accessible playground at a Tuesday, April 12 news conference. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

While the local Parent Advisory Council helped raise funds for the project, McKee said the new equipment would not have been possible without the government contribution.

“It’s a great benefit to all of our students in our community and a great team builder for all of our community partners.”

Nanoose Bay Elementary School is the second mid Island school to receive an upgraded accessible playground under an existing provincial government program.

Bowser Elementary School received a new accessible playground in 2019.

Coincidently, McKee was the principal at Bowser during the process of securing the funds but became principal at Nanoose Bay Elementary before he was able to see the kids at Bowser enjoy their new playground.

Since 2018, $25 million has been used to provide 201 new playgrounds to schools throughout the province.

Last year, the province invested $10 million for 60 new playgrounds in 50 school districts throughout the province.

Provincial funding for the latest round of accessible playgrounds will be released soon.

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