THUNDER BAY —Students at three Thunder Bay Catholic District School board schools have new reasons to enjoy outdoor time this year.
Three schools — Bishop Gallagher, St. Jude and St. Elizabeth — have received enhanced outdoor play equipment, complete with an artificial turf surface.
"I think the board would like to see turf at all the sites probably in the next couple of years. It really benefits our play areas because, you know, those little students are crawling all over the ground, and it's much safer," board manager of plant services Paul Mignault said on Thursday.
The improved spaces will be easier to maintain for board staff and custodians. It will also result in students tracking less mud, dirt and sand through the school and at home. Hazards will also be easier to spot so the area can remain safe and clean for those using it.
Getting away from traditional play structures, exercise equipment similar to what is at Boulevard Lake Park has been installed.
"We wanted to get away from the play structures that our kindergarten to grade 6 schools have and make it more of a middle school field," Bishop Gallagher principal Frank Lacaria said.
"We wanted to provide equipment that they would use for phys-ed class and at recess time, and I think we've done it."
He added that feedback so far from students and teachers has been positive, and students widely use the equipment during recess and gym class.
