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New playground at Kilby a source of pride

Lions donate cash to enhance Kilby Historic Site for kids
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Members of the Agassiz Harrison Lions Club met with Kilby staff farmer and handyman Chris Nowak on Tuesday morning

Kilby Historic Site's newest source of pride is a brand new, premium playground designed to keep kids busy. And over the last few weeks, children have been flocking to the wooden structure to climb, swing and oversee the farm.

And at an official unveiling on Tuesday morning, even some bigger kids were eager to hop onto the playground and give it a whirl. The Agassiz Harrison Lions met with Kilby staff and management to install a plaque and talk about the project.

Several Lions members eagerly climbed up the ladder to the look out, beaming with pride.

The Lions contributed $4,000 toward the project, to replace the previous structure. Kilby employee Chris Nowak built the strong, sturdy, wooden playground, complete with a ladder and swing set. And he told the crowd that he's not done yet.

"There will be a premium spire roof," he said, likely to be added next winter.

And he's hoping to jazz it up with things like a steering wheel, and cut-outs in the side for children to peer out of.

Eventually, even a flag will fly from the top.

This isn't the first time the local Lions club has helped Kilby Historic Site with updates. The building at the front, which houses the gift shop and restaurant, are there because of Lions contributions back in 1980s.

Throughout the year, many of the volunteers are also Lions members. And this spring they cleaned out the museum, first learning the proper procedures for cleaning artifacts.

"Our thing is, we like working somewhere and helping out where it's a family thing," said Lion Joey Ellis.

In addition to the playground, Nowak also built a giant checkerboard which has become an instant hit.

"I'm going to have to build stools," he said on Tuesday. "So many people come and sit and play."

news@ahobserver.com

 

 

 



Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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