Marion Schilling elementary has won a $100,000 playground revitalization from BCAA. The Valleyview school landed the third place spot in the BCAA Play Here contest that will see four B.C. playgrounds receive much-needed updates.
It's official! Marion Schilling school is getting a $100,000 BCAA playground!!! pic.twitter.com/2MVscBRCQ5
— Kamloops SD 73 (@Kamloops_SD73) June 23, 2017
Kamloopsians had been voting non-stop once it was revealed Marion Schilling made it into the top 10. The school fought hard to stay in third place as the contest reached its final weeks, holding rallies to encourage the community to show support. Posters asking everyone to get online and vote popped up around the city.
Nominations opened March 20th, voting began May 22nd and wrapped up June 18th. The results of the contest were revealed live on Global News this morning.
The contest looks to take places where kids spend time and make them safer, better spots to play. Three winning space, chosen by the public, each receive revitalizations worth up to $100,000.
Due to the closeness of votes this year, BCAA decided to add a fourth winner. Bouchie Lake elementary in Quesnel, Galiano Community School on Galiano Island and McKay Street Park in Prince Rupert will also receive funds for playground updates.
Nominators said the Marion Schilling playground is a central hub for Valleyview residents, surrounded by a number of sports fields and other community infrastructure and hosts several after-school initiatives. However, the current playground is old, deteriorating and unsafe and needs to be replaced with new equipment to continue hosting families.
Congrats to Marion Schilling!
