Cowichan Tribes is receiving a $14,400 grant to recycle 565 scrapped tires to provide a rubberized surface space for its planned outdoor playground at sports court at 2770 Boys Rd.
The grant is from Tire Stewardship BC, a not-for-profit group dedicated to the collection and recycling of scrap tires in the province.
The recycled and processed scrapped tires will provide a durable, non-toxic, visually attractive and low-maintenance surface area for the site on Boys Road where the First Nation’s 32-unit modular housing facility is located.
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Lauren Miller, Cowichan Tribes’ special projects coordinator, said although the playground and sport court are within the housing project, they are for the use of the community and not just the future residents of the housing development.
“The playground is being accompanied by the sport court and an outdoor public washroom as well,” she said.
“The sport court is an multi-sport court with a rubberized surface coating that will be fully fenced and will have a logo, which we are still finalizing, in the centre.”
The kids-play area will include 1,000 square feet of play features directed towards kids aged two to 12 years old.
The equipment Cowichan Tribes has selected is designed to provide a variety of multi‐sensory experiences for the development of children of all abilities.
The nature-themed structure is designed to promote imaginative play, social interaction, and physical literacy.
The 920 sq. ft. sports court is a multi-use area offering play options for sports such as floor hockey, handball, basketball, soccer and other sports available to kids and adults of all ages.
Tire Stewardship BC is also giving grants to 12 other organizations in B.C. for community developments throughout 2022-2023.
In total, 14,928 scrap tires will be used for these community projects, which include surfacing of playgrounds, walkways, parks and gathering spaces.
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The TSBC community grant program supports municipalities, registered non-profit community groups or organizations, schools, and First Nations and Métis settlements that are building or upgrading their facilities utilizing recycled tire products.
To date, TSBC has awarded more than $5.8 million in community grants.
“Tire Stewardship BC is pleased to provide financial support to organizations across the province that have chosen to use recycled tire rubber for their upcoming projects,” said Rosemary Sutton, executive director of TSBC.
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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