Entre-Lacs needs place to play
Penticton school finalist for $100,000 contest to replace, build playgrounds
Your vote could help Ecole Entre-Lacs win up to $100,000 for a natural playground and outdoor learning lab.
The Penticton project has been named one of 10 BCAA Play Here finalists, chosen from hundreds of entries province-wide for a play space revitalization. The community can vote for it at www.bcaaplayhere.com, where details are available on each finalist. Voting runs until June 17. “It would be great to see the community rally behind us,” says project committee member and parent Brian Rippy.
The vision features climbing, sliding, balancing and outdoor learning features that promote healthy development.
The area will provide engagement for all five senses as well as encouraging creative and dramatic play, fine motor skills, agility, gross motor skills and cognitive engagement, among other things, the project’s backers say.
Rippy says they want something that is going to help connect the students with nature and promote co-operative play versus competitive, and incorporate imagination in an outdoor classroom.
“I think we have a good argument. We put together a solid proposal,” says Rippy.
“We have a unique vision. We do have a lot of community stakeholders that have been involved.”
Their BCAA Play Here nomination describes Ecole Entre-Lacs as the heart of the French community in the South Okanagan.
Last year, the school purchased a previously de-commissioned middle school (McNicoll) that has no playground on site except one small play area with capacity for 10 children at a time. The majority of children’s play occurs in a large unsecured field adjacent to the school difficult for school faculty to supervise.
“There isn’t funds lying around to develop a playground. This would mean a lot,” added Rippy.
“The Ecole Entre-Lacs Natural Playground and Outdoor Learning Lab nomination was well-thought-out and showed a clear need for a better play space,” Shawn Pettipas, BCAA’s director of community engagement, said in a news release.
“BCAA recognizes that play spaces aren’t just for kids, they’re a place for the community to meet and spend time together and the school’s nomination detailed the positive impact a revitalized space would have on families and the greater community of Penticton.”
Penticton is competing against Castlegar, Cache Creek, Victoria, Ladysmith, Halfmoon Bay, Mackenzie, Coquitlam, Pinantan Lake and Powell River.
The winner is to be announced June 21.