Victoria’s tent city land to be turned into playground

Victoria’s former tent city land will be turned into a children’s playground.

Designs are currently being drawn up for a community playground to be located on the lawn beside the Victoria Courthouse, the former site of a contentious tent city.

The idea proved to be the most popular during discussions with neighbours, according to the B.C. Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizen’s Services.

It will be fully accessible for children of all ages and abilities and will include features for adults and seniors, like chess tables and benches.

However, before the playground can be constructed, contaminated soil on the site needs to be removed.

The ministry said the soil contains trace amounts of methamphetamines and other contaminants consistent with minor gas spills.

Minister Amrik Virk said 75 dump trucks full of dirt will be removed, taken to a soil remediation site and then will be built back up again before construction commences.

READ MORE: Province dealing with rat infestation at Victoria’s former tent city site

They will also be using some special consultants when coming up with the playground design.

“We’re going to let children decide what kind of playground they want,” said Virk.

The project is estimated to cost between $150,000 and $200,000, but an anonymous donor is expected to fund a large portion, Virk announced. It is expected to be open by spring 2017.

In August, the government granted an injunction to clear the tent city where dozens of campers had been living since fall 2015.

READ MORE: Province shuts down Victoria tent city, housing offered to all campers

Due to safety concerns including drug use, open fires and violence, the Supreme Court sided with the province in July to grant the injunction, despite advocates claiming the park was a safer option for homeless than the street.

All the people evicted from the park were offered housing options from the province.

The tent city cleanup cost roughly $300,000.