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Nanoose Road playground to be removed

Staff looking into other uses for site
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The Nanoose Road Community Park playground equipment is 23 years and needs repairs to stay safe. The structure is starting to decay. Lauren Collins photo

The Regional District of Nanaimo board directed staff to remove the play structure at Nanoose Road Community Park at Tuesday’s RDN regular board meeting. Staff will also work with the Nanoose Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee to determine an alternative park use for the site.

The play structure at Nanoose Road Community Park is 23 years old and needs repairs in order to stay safe, according to Tuesday’s agenda. It also said the structure is decaying which will continue as the structure is past its 20-year lifespan.

Wendy Marshall, RDN parks and services manager, said removal of the structure wouldn’t be too far off, but she said there isn’t an exact timeline yet since staff are working on a lot of other projects.

With the equipment being removed, the site can be used for a different activity or new play equipment can be installed. The agenda also referenced the play equipment at the nearby Nanoose Bay Elementary School, which the RDN provided $20,000 for new equipment in 2009.

The agenda states the cost to remove the play structure is $2,500, which can be covered from maintenance funds in the Electoral Area E Community Parks Budget.

The cost for a small replacement play structure without swings is between $20,000 and $35,000, depending on the components installed, and can be covered by reserve funds or through Community Works Funds for Electoral Area E.

At Tuesday’s meeting, staff also voted that $10,000 of the Electoral Area E Community Works Funds be allocated to School District 69 (Qualicum) for Jack Bagley field improvements.

The next regular board meeting is Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m.

— NEWS Staff