Burnaby park wins big in the Aviva Community Fund

Children from South Slope Elementary and the BCSD (British Columbia School for the Deaf) are winners today after the Aviva Community Fund announced that Burnaby School District was one of four top prize winners of their Canadian competition.

The South Slope Elementary/ BC School for the Deaf were contenders in the Aviva Community Fund, a contest held by Aviva Insurance Company that allowed Canadians to help pick where funding monies should be used. As a result the schools will be given between $50,000-$250,000 to rebuild their playground. The new playground will be used by the schools and Fairhaven Children’s Centre, Burnaby South Childcare Centre, Bee House Montessori Daycare, Bright Star Montessori School, My First Blanket Daycare and South Burnaby Preschool. The new playground will feature wheelchair accessible resilient surfaces allowing all children in the area to enjoy the area. The South Slope and BCSD PAC and Playground Committee have been fund raising for the future playground since 2006. The committee has researched to plan a play area that is inclusive and accessible. So far the group has purchase and install a "Swayfun Wheelchair Glider" with ramps, guardrails and curbs., an equipment piece recommended by the Fraser Health Authority's occupational therapist. Without the help from outside funding it would take years for the playground to become a reality.