A.H.P. Matthew Elementary opens new inclusive and accessible playground for all students
Surrey Board of Education Chair Gary Tymoschuk was on hand Thursday to celebrate the opening of A.H.P. Matthew Elementary's new playground, made possible with funding from the Ministry of Infrastructure and the provincial government's Playground Equipment Program. The PEP has supported playgrounds at other Surrey elementary schools, most recently Cindrich, Holly, Kirkbride, École Riverdale, Sullivan, Senator Reid and T.E. Scott. (Photos by Jacob Zinn)
Students at A.H.P. Matthew Elementary have a brand new, accessible playground, thanks to $200,000 in funding from the Ministry of Infrastructure to support outdoor play.
On Thursday (Jan. 22), the school celebrated the playground’s opening with a ribbon-cutting, attended by Surrey-City Centre MLA Amna Shah, Surrey Board of Education Chair Gary Tymoschuk, PAC chair Hanbir Kambo and principal Nadine Vandenberg. The event showcased the playground’s universal design, which includes considerations for students with physical and mental disabilities, functional limitations and communication or sensory impairments.
“This playground is about more than just new equipment, it’s about creating a space for our kids to play and be kids,” said Gary Tymoschuk, Chair of the Surrey Board of Education. “Play is essential to child development, and your collective efforts have made that possible here at A.H.P Matthew.”
Last April, the City Centre school was one of 25 from across B.C. to receive provincial funding for new playgrounds through B.C.’s Playground Equipment Program (PEP), which supports inclusion and accessibility for all children and significantly reduces the PAC-led fundraising needed for replacement playgrounds.
In the past, the PEP has supported playgrounds at other Surrey elementary schools, including Cindrich, Holly, Kirkbride, École Riverdale, Sullivan, Senator Reid, T.E. Scott, Old Yale Road, Westerman, Goldstone Park and Janice Churchill elementaries.
While the Ministry of Education and Child Care funds playground for new schools, PACs are largely on their own if they need to expand or replace their playground, with replacements costing $200,000 on average. In recent years, Surrey Schools has seen an increase in schools requesting financial assistance for playgrounds as many PACs struggle to fundraise enough to meet student needs.
Replacing playgrounds is further complicated by rising material costs, land preparation expenses and extensive competing needs for school funds being raised for field trips or extra computer equipment.
How You Can Help
The district’s Office of Advancement happily accepts donations to playgrounds for all schools in the district and welcomes contributions from individuals, companies, corporations, businesses and foundations.
Donations can be made online or by emailing donations@surreyschools.ca. Surrey Schools is a registered Canadian Charity with the Canada Revenue Agency and every donation above $20 is eligible for a tax receipt.
For more information, please email donations@surreyschools.ca. To donate online or learn about other ways to contribute, visit the Ways to Give page.
