Millennium Park is now home to the nation's tallest castle play structure.
The City of Castlegar opened the 12-metre-tall playground on Thursday, June 13. The structure is intended for children five to 12, and includes two tube slides, a lookout tower, climbing ropes, sensory features, and wheelchair-accessible components.
Parents of small children will be happy to hear that rather than sand, gravel, or wood chips, the play area is covered in rubber surfacing.
“We know the community and visitors have been patiently awaiting the opening, so we are happy to see it open in time for the busy summer season,” Anne Simonen, city project manager, said in a release. “This project aims to enrich the lives of residents, promote tourism, and improve the amenities offered at Millennium Park and Ponds.”
The new playground was funded with a $1.2-million grant from the Communities, Culture and Recreation stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Canada contributed $654,400, while the Province of B.C. contributed the other $545,279. The City of Castlegar covered the remaining $686,000 of the $1.866-million budget.
Commenting on behalf of the minister of housing, infrastructure and communities, Jonathan Wilkinson, the minister of energy and natural resources, praised the new structure.
“This castle playground is a beautiful addition to Millennium Park and Ponds, and is a space where children and families can come together to explore and play," he said in the release. "This project reflects our dedication to building vibrant, healthy communities, and we will continue to invest in projects that contribute to the well-being of our neighbourhoods.”
Construction began in 2023 but paused for the winter due to cold and wet weather conditions.