By Cheryl Jahn

Accessibility Committee likes Jumpstart proposal

Nov 16, 2021 | 3:54 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The City’s Accessibility Committee has had a chance to look over what is being proposed for a multi-sport, fully-accessible facility adjacent to the new Fire Hall #1 on Massey Drive.

And the Committee members are overjoyed with what’s proposed. Chair Chris Gobbi expects it will be used a lot.

“The hope, I think, it will be used a lot. Spinal Cord Injury BC, who does a lot of adaptive sports already in town. But their limited in what they can do, obviously, with the facilities and the equipment. We have a member on the [Accessibility] Committee who works for them.”

In the spring of 2021, with support from Mr. Selen Alpay, Associate Dealer, Canadian Tire Corporation, and the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charity contacted the City to explore the establishment of an inclusive play project. Through the engagement process, Administration worked with the Jumpstart Charity to establish which inclusive play facility could support the City’s current recreational facility inventory. A Multisport Court was chosen as it provides multiple sport configurations and can serve all ages and abilities.

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Jumpstart, through its contractor, provides equipment, materials and associated construction services to build the facility once the site has been developed and prepared. They have committed $500,000 to do the work.

The City’s contribution would involve preparing the site to the required standard for the court. Site preparation would include geotechnical investigation, earthworks, site grading, asphalt pad, electrical servicing, accessibility improvements, and associated costs to complete these works. That cost will be considerably lower.

Chris Gobbi says the equipment accommodates many different disabilities. And he suggests it could also be a venue for the BC Summer Games, which are coming to Prince George next year.