Children and Families Benefit from New Accessible Playgrounds

Students at Ralph Bell and Heffley Creek Elementary Schools will be able to play on new accessible playgrounds in the coming year. 

Each school will receive a new, accessible playground based on universal design principles to make sure they are inclusive for all elementary-aged students regardless of ability. 

Valued at $165,000 each, the playgrounds are two of 30 ministry-funded playgrounds  in 24 school districts throughout B.C. 

Safer, more efficient systems

In addition, the Ministry of Education approved several other minor capital projects submitted in the District’s Annual Five-Year Capital Plan. HVAC upgrades are planned for Sa-Hali Secondary, Westsyde Secondary, and South Kamloops Secondary and an electrical upgrade for NorKam Senior Secondary. 

New buses for a growing district

The District has also received the go ahead to purchase five buses, ranging in size from 70-75 seats models to 80 seat models, and valued between $158,232 and $195,084.  To address the 13 catchment changes, SD73 will require three additional bus routes and the expansion of a fourth route in Dallas/Barnhartvale beginning September 2022.

Read the ministry release here.