Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

Playground Hazards Going Out for Second Opinion

By 250 News

School District 57 has completed an internal review of its 52 active playgrounds for safety hazards...

The report found three playgrounds that require immediate attention -- Malaspina Elementary, Westwood Elementary, and Hart Highlands -- stating, "all three of these playgrounds are older and are of the home-built variety.  There are issues regarding head entrapments, equipment stability, structural integrity, as well as an impossibility to improve the components to ensure they are CSA compliant."

At last night's meeting, school board trustees approved a recommendation to have district 57 staff meet with principals at the three schools and the Parent Advisory Councils as soon as possible to look at what options are available.

Trustees also approved spending $18,900.00 to hire an independent consultant to review the district's assessments.  A second opinion, Trustee Fred McLeod says,  "Will ensure we've hit the mark."  McLeod say while the top three priorities had glaring hazards, it's prioritizing which playgrounds should be rated 4th, 5th, 6th, and so on, that is more difficult and requires outside expertise.

Trustee Patricia Wick-Thibault says that second opinion is important to have, "for all comfort levels."  She says the district doesn't want to remove what doesn't have to be, but wants what's in the playgrounds to be safe.

It will take the consultant between six and eight weeks to conduct his review.  In the meantime, the district's findings for each individual school will go to the respective principals for discussion with the parent advisory councils about what may be in the offing.  And, yes, District 57 Secretary-Treasurer Bryan Mix confirms that while the district is responsible for maintaining the grounds -- something, he says, will be a priority in next year's budget discussions -- parent advisories and community groups are financially responsible for playground structures.
Previous Story - Next Story



Return to Home