Playgrounds are where we gather together and this is why the Bowen Island Community School Association made the Spring 2017 community playground upgrade our number one project from 2015 to 2017.
Dr. Seuss said “Look at Me! Look at Me! Look at Me Now! It’s Fun to Have Fun, But You Have to Know How!” We took that to heart because what is more fun than a playground and who can argue with Dr. Seuss?
At BICS there remain two wooden play structures that are slated for removal by the West Vancouver school district.
The projected cost (from 2015) for the removal, preparation of the site by Habitat Landscape Structures for installation of three new pieces, and WVSD facilities costs (excluding surfacing) is $42,000.
In 2007 the BICS community playground began its upgrade through a few phases.
The entire community worked together and with donations, fundraising and grants from BIM, B.C. gaming and West Vancouver Schools, major upgrades were able to be completed in 2010.
After a six-year hiatus the last two wooden pieces need to be removed and replaced.
This brings us to where we are now, the final phase of installation of three new playground pieces by spring 2017. With help from so many others we have raised $22,000 and are now halfway to our goal.
The CSA would like to take this opportunity to thank the following Bowen Island organizations, the Undercurrent and individuals for their tremendous support of the 2017 spring playground upgrade and for showing such spirit of community:
Bowen Island Community Foundation – community impact fund grant
Bowen Island Municipality – community grant
Smooth Stone Foundation – grant
Knick Knack Nook – social sustainability grant
Bowen Rotary – grant
Parent Advisory Council – funding
Alix Sinclair – magic show donation
Terri Dewar – donation
Levi Seberly – donation
Youth Crafters – donation
We are humbled and grateful for your belief in this project.
September 2016 will see us continue to move forward into the final stretch with the playground project and we look forward to involving you – yes, you!
We will be keeping all community members on Bowen Island well-informed on how you can help make the playground bloom in spring 2017!
Please keep your eyes open because you will be learning lots more about this in the Undercurrent, on our CSA Facebook pages and the BICS Community School co-ordinator’s newsletters. If you are reading this and feeling like you want to be involved now, please keep in mind that the Community School Association can issue tax receipts for donations of $25 or more. Please contact our Community School co-ordinator Sarah Haxby at 604-947-0389 or [email protected].
Katherine Gish is past chairwoman of the Bowen Island Community School Association and grant writer for the playground project.
