Schep Park may look a bit different come next spring.
The District of Kent was recently awarded a $30,000 grant from the 2022 Tire Stewardship Program to support installing a rubberized playground surface at Schep Park, which is located on Elm Road in Agassiz.
District officials told The Observer the estimated cost of the complete resurfacing is about $105,000 based on estimates gathered earlier this year. Staff at the District are in the process of seeking out additional grant programs to cover the remaining costs. The goal date for construction is spring 2023.
Tire Stewardship B.C. (TSBC) says a grand total of 3, 273 recycled tires will compose the new rubberized surface. TSBC executive director Rosemary Sutton said the rubberized surfaces from the scrap tires provide a non-slip surface and soft landing in playground areas and parks.
“Tire Stewardship BC is pleased to provide financial support to organizations across the province that have chosen to use recycled tire rubber for their upcoming projects,” Sutton stated. “These grant recipients will use B.C. rubber for the surfacing of various communal areas making them durable, non-toxic, and low maintenance.”
The District of Kent was one of 13 organizations to receive TSBC grants; more than 14,900 scrap tires will be used toward those projects.
TSBC has awarded nearly $6 million in community grants. Since its founding in 1991, TSBC has recycled more than 100 million tires within the province. It is among the oldest recycling initiatives in the country.