New playground takes root after theft of school funds
A nature playground that was built despite the theft of funds collected for the project officially opened Thursday at Keating Elementary School.
The playground was put in jeopardy last year when more than $40,000 went missing. The former treasurer of the Keating Home and School Association parent group pleaded guilty in June to theft over $5,000.
News of the theft brought a swift response. Peninsula Co-op donated $30,000, while Garden City Tree & Landscape provided time, material and resources worth $40,000.
The school has about 400 students in kindergarten to Grade 5.
The play area combines natural features such as stumps and logs with regular playground structures. “We built them two forts, a dry stream bed [and a] sandbox,” said Garden City’s Chris Stansfield. A climbing wall was constructed using knots from trees as grips, he said, and many of the materials used were byproducts of the company’s day-to-day landscaping activity and other operations.
Parent Tricia Oates said her children, Grade 5 student Lachlan and Grade 1 student Bodhi, are both big fans of the new play area — especially the in-ground slides.
“It’s a really nice nature-scape design for the kids,” Oates said. “A lot of kids can be out there at the same time enjoying it.”
Saanich school district superintendent Keven Elder said the playground will get plenty of use.
“We’re excited that not only do the students at Keating have the opportunity to have good, healthy play opportunities, but that the whole community gets to access this resource,” Elder said.
He said the initiative demonstrates what can happen when people come together. “This is a real community effort, and we’re so grateful to our community partners for coming forward with their offers.”
James Taylor, president of the Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils of Saanich, said students are the most important element of the uplifting story.
“Bottom line, it’s all about the kids,” he said. “It just speaks loads to the sense of community that we have there and how people come together in tough times.