We are happy to share that the new Seaforth playground was approved and ordered recently – and parts have started to arrive! A huge thank you to the Playground Committee who spent countless hours scouting local playgrounds, going through many playground catalogs – paper and online – and working with Habitat Systems and SwingTime to come up with a variety of designs.Habitat provided 3 designs and SwingTime provided 4 designs. None of the Habitat designs seemed large enough for Seaforth. SwingTime equipment primarily comes from Canada, which seemed to result in lower prices, which resulted in larger playground designs and shorter lead times.
The SwingTime designs were presented to the Seaforth students and Option 2 was selected as the winner. Option 2 was also preferred by the playground committee. Win win!
The total cost of the playground is approximately $320,000. Yes, we were surprised, too! I think we’ll all remember for a long time how shockingly small one of the first design concepts was.
The funding sources are as follows:
$165k Ministry Grant
$ 85k PAC Fundraising (several years)
$ 60k Private Donors
($310k Total Funds)
We are fortunate the previous Seaforth PAC execs had the foresight to start fundraising for a new playground several years ago. We are also fortunate to receive the entire SD41 Ministry Playground Grant – $165k – since Seaforth was the only school in SD41 selected for the grant last year.
PLUS, the District will provide us with an interest-free loan to cover our approximate $10k shortfall, giving us a little extra time to make full payment.
So please come out to the 100th Year Carnival and help us raise that last $10k!
A huge thank you also goes out to the private donors. These contributions go a long way in helping build a playground large enough for Seaforth.
There are also plans taking shape to install an outdoor learning/seating area just to the east of the new playground. Part of this will also be funded by private donors. Their generosity is very much appreciated.
If anyone is interested in donating to either the playground or outdoor learning area, please feel free to contact the school directly or the PAC at Seaforth.PAC@burnabyschools.ca.
And, as always, a huge thank you to the school staff who helped the playground committee from day 1. You have our gratitude.
The District still has some drainage work to do on the upper field before the playground can be installed. The new playground will be built on the west side of the upper field, instead of its previous location near Piper. The District estimates the playground will be completed this September.
Click here to view Image#1 and Click here to view Image#2 of 3d renders provided by SwingTime
Sincerely, Seaforth PAC Seaforth.PAC@burnabyschools.ca
