Kamloops’ Marion Schilling elementary and the Chase Skate Park are both top 10 finalists in the BCAA Play Here contest that gives three B.C. play areas a $100,000 makeover.
BCAA has been in search of parks around the province in need of rejuvenation, seeking nominations earlier this year. 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, will each receive revitalizations worth up to $100,000.
Last year we revitalized a playground in Lillooet. This could be in your community. Nominate a play space today! https://t.co/omScFVcuIT pic.twitter.com/9VjKVUYsfg
— BCAA (@BCAA) March 27, 2017
Judges selected the finalists and the top 10 were revealed yesterday, with voting taking place until June 18th. Winners will be announced on June 23rd.
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 hosting 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.
The Chase and District Skate Park Society is looking for funding to transform an area that was formerly an outdoor skating rink into a well lit, landscaped, safe area where youth can spend their time.
Chase-area youth have already been utilizing the area since a wooden skateboard ramp was placed on the cracked asphalt last summer. Organizers have a vision with engineered plans and approval from the Village of Chase to greatly improve the space.
Vote online on the BCAA Play Here website.
Other spaces in the running include the Devonian Playground Project in Elkford, Galiano Community School on Galiano Island, Bouchie Lake Elementary in the Cariboo community of Bouchie Lake, Eric J. Dunn elementary in Port Alberni, W.E. Kinvig elementary in Newton, Mackenzie Community Play Place in Mackenzie, McKay Street Park in Prince Rupert and Sahtlam Park in Lake Cowichan.
