The Ladysmith Kinsmen Club is hoping to be able to replace the playground at Transfer Beach by next summer.
The Kinsmen have embarked on a project to rebuild the playground and are working hard to bring the community on board.
The Kinsmen have committed to donating $20,000 — of which they have already sent $15,600 to the playground manufacturer — and are working on making the playground a “community project,” explained project chair Duck Paterson.
The Ladysmith Healthcare Auxiliary has committed $14,000 to purchase two accessible basket swings for the new playground.
The Kinsmen Club has met with members of the Ladysmith Rotary Club, and they are on board as well and will be taking on some fundraising projects.
“The cost of the new adventure playground at Transfer Beach is over $150,000, plus new ground cover will be in excess of $20,000, so the Kinsmen are really hoping that we can get more of the community behind this project,” said Paterson. “Transfer Beach is very important to not just Ladysmith residents, but to all families from the surrounding area, as shown by the very generous donation by the Stz’uminus community. Families from all over Vancouver Island come to Transfer Beach, and we need to keep it a jewel — with the playground being a large part of that.”
The Kinsmen built the original adventure playground at Transfer Beach almost 20 years ago, and time and wear and tear are taking a toll on the structure.
“There have been ongoing efforts to maintain the playground, but eventually, things wear out,” said Paterson. “It’s getting old, and parts rust and rot and safety has to be seriously looked at.”
Paterson says the Kinsmen will be doing more fundraising in the near future and will be working with the Rotarians as partners. They hope they can work with more community groups as well.
“The goal is next summer, and the way the community works and with the pride it has, we believe we can do it,” he said. “It’s going to take a lot of hard work, so the more hands, the better.”
To learn more, contact Duck Paterson at 250-245-2263.