Beachcombers Academy & Little Oysters Preschool has just wrapped up a large renovation.
The project included the building of a new preschool room, a new custom play structure and playground, landscaping and a host of new extras. The total project cost was $267,000, of which $218,000 was funded through a grant awarded by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development.
“We are very pleased with our new preschool facility and playground,” said principal Wendy Preston. “It is truly beautiful with the ocean views from the remodelled playground, the stunning new stained glass window and our lovely garden mosaic. It is an inspiring place for children to learn. “We are so grateful to our sponsors and the Province for making this possible.”
The garden mosaic was created by students and staff with funding from the Comox Valley Horticultural Society. It is a beautiful centre piece to the school garden.
The stained glass is a large two-panel installation by stained glass master Ted Goodden and visual artist Nicole Tritter that was installed with financial assistance from the Comox Valley Regional District and Mac’s Oysters. It depicts a cedar forest rustled by the wind, and it is a perfect complement to the school’s coastal curriculum.
“The playground got a complete makeover,” said president, Zoe Lambert. “We installed a new fall zone, added more swings, a slide, some landscaped play areas, and the very popular play structure that has a small climbing wall.
“The play structure is situated between two trees, and so students have begun calling it the tree house, although it actually sits on the ground. It was designed by our older students a few years ago. Students made a presentation to the Home Depot that provided a substantial donation of materials. A very big thank you to the Home Depot for making the tree house and climbing wall possible.”
The school renovation also included new student ‘cubbies’, a new preschool office, a new upstairs staff and storage room, and an upgrade to the school’s earthquake and emergency supplies.
The school prioritized a seismic upgrade during its initial renovation six years ago, so this time focussed on improving its emergency supplies.