A new playground has been completed for Pinecrest Elementary School.

The grand opening marks 12 years of fundraising and community effort.

"The new playground is not just a place for play; it's a testament to our community's commitment to our children's well-being and happiness," said Tina Gordon, principal of Pinecrest Elementary School.

"Seeing the joy in our students' faces as they explore this new space makes all the effort worthwhile."

The playground was made possible through fundraising by the Pinecrest Parent Advisory Council (PAC), community support, and $198,000 in funding from the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s Playground Equipment Program.

Current Pinecrest students and staff played a pivotal role in the playground's design, ensuring it meets the needs and imaginations of those who will use it most, with more than 70 volunteers helping crews get things completed.

Board Chair Kat Eddy says the playground symbolizes the power of community collaboration and provincial support. She says it’s a place “where not only today’s children, but also future generations, will make memories."

School districts apply for PEP funding from the ministry each year and playgrounds are funded based on the greatest need with priority given to schools where there is no playground at all or where the existing playground is deteriorating based on age.

To learn more, visit Campbell River School District 72.