New Playground Equipment

More playgrounds for our kids.

City council Monday approved a proposal by the Play Power Company to provide new playground equipment to the Carmi elementary and McNicol middle schools.

Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, John Kirbyson, says city staff reviewed 10 proposals for the playground sites.

“We evaluated the proposals on several criteria, including number of play elements included, how many kids can play on them and so on. We spent lots of time reviewing the proposals, but unfortunately didn't get to personally test any of the equipment,” says Kirbyson.

He says the proposal by Play Power included 13 more pieces of equipment than some of the other proposals and is the best value.

“The cost is $87,000, which is more than some of the other proposals, but is still within budget,” says Kirbyson.

He says work on the playgrounds was originally set to be finished by July.

“The long winter has set us back, but we are not too far off the mark at this point,” says Kirbyson.

Councillor Joanne Grimaldi says she wonders if the old equipment could still be used.

“I'm wondering if the old playground pieces could be donated to the Penticton Indian Band's elementary school. They have nothing to use on their playground,” says Grimaldi.

Kirbyson says the old equipment would have to be checked to make sure it still complies with safety standards before it could be given to any other school.