Members of the Timber Framers Guild were hard at work for play at Cobble Hill's Evergreen Independent School from July 15 to 21.
It was all hands on deck as members worked together under the scorching sun on July 20 to build, and breathe life into the school's 'Playful Spaces' project which will create an accessible and imaginative play area designed to meet the needs of all students and community members while fostering a sense of inclusion like never before.
The project, which is funded in part by the Evergreen Independent School Society and the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility fund, saw Evergreen Independent School partner up with Timber Framers Guild — a non-profit educational association dedicated to the craft of timber framing — to make their vision to reality. Once completed the 100-foot long ramp will not only allow wheelchair accessibility into an area of the historic school like never before, but more importantly it will take children of all abilities on a magical journey from high seas adventures to treetop explorations, with plenty of opportunities for musical and sensory play along the way. This engaging, creative and inclusive play space that will be accessible to the greater community as well.
This project will be ready for the school year, and the Evergreen Independent School is still seeking the support of community partners for the funding of additional playful features such as musical elements, a slide, and climbing features such as a wall or parkour elements. They are also looking for the sponsoring of meals for visiting guild members, and assistance with the installation of decking, pickets, roofing as well as the additional play elements.
To learn more about the project and how to become involved to have it ready for the students in September contact Colleen O'Dell at board.treasurer@evergreenbc.net.
Once the 'Play Spaces' project is complete there will be a celebration with guild members, the Evergreen society as well as the entire local community with a dinner event set to be held in the Community Pavilion.
