Weyburn's mayor said she is pleased work is finally underway for the new accessible playground at Elks Park.

Construction of the playground was to begin in July, said mayor Debra Button, but the contracted work was slightly delayed. Button said city crews are currently working on site to have equipment installed sometime in August.

"It's been a long time coming," said Button. "The fire, that unfortunately someone decided to set there (in 2013), was very unforunate for the area. A lot of children enjoyed that little park and we knew that we needed to do something and we're finally at that point."

Although an accessible swing is not part of the first phase of installation, Button said the ability to add one later is important.

"I just think that, that's really a key piece of infrastructure at any playground is a swing," she said.

During a city council meeting in June, Button voiced her concern about the playground not having an accessible swing.

"If there's some money left over (this year) that we can take from somewhere else, I'm not sure. But if not, certainly that will be something I'd like to see coming from next year's budget."

Button said the city of Weyburn must work for everyone, and adding an accessible playground helps towards this goal.

"It's important in the community and the quality of life, and that we keep our kids in motion and we are very mindful of that."

                                                                                                      - - -

(June 20, 2016) There is a new accessible playground being built at Weyburn's Elks Park.

"This week we are just doing the removal and next week they'll be doing the base preparation," explained parks coordinator Linda Prokott.

"Then in the first couple weeks of August they will be putting in the new playground."

Prokott said the new structure is something Weyburn's parks department has wanted to add to the community for some time. The project was approved by city council in this year's budget; a $150,000 tender by Prairie Playscapes was accepted.

As some may remember, in October of 2013, reports came into Weyburn Police Services of a fire on the playground equipment at Elks Park. Prokott said this was part of the reason why the parks department chose Elks Park as the location for the new accessible playground.

This playground will be different than any other playground in Weyburn, as it will be the only playground in the community with full accessibility for wheelchairs.

"All kids should have access to an area where they can play and interact and explore," said Prokott. "It was really important for us to add that feature to the city."

Prokott noted that ramps and platforms will be setup throughout the entire structure, "so every level is accessible by wheelchair."

As well, some traditional elements - like climbing apparatuses and slides - will also be a part of the new structure. Rubber paving throughout the playground will also make every area of the structure accessible, compared to playgrounds which have gravel or crumb rubber surfaces.

There could also be a potential Phase Two, said Prokott. It wasn't in the budget this year, but an accessible swing could be added in the future. City council meetings from June noted this could cost around $15,000.

Prokott said she has received calls about the status of Elks Park, as families in the area have requested a new playground be built.

"So, it sounds like that playground is going to be utilized and there should be a lot of people in that area that should be excited to see that," she said.

Below is a representation of what the new accessible playground will look like:

elkspark2016.pdf