The new “Kindergarten Quad” is taking shape in IPA’s Primary building this summer, and outdoors the adjoining playground is getting a facelift. “The fencing is gone and we just took the cement pillars out last week,” explains Island Pacific Academy Primary Years Programme (PYP) Principal, Steve Ross. “It’s part of a refurbishing of the area that we’ve wanted to do for a while.”
“The four rooms in Kindergarten will be used in an exciting way this fall. The two front rooms will remain as classrooms while the two back rooms will become a shared space. We’re excited for the students to have this area where “centers” and big projects can be put up and stay up since they won’t take up space in the classrooms,” says Ross.
Outside, before the pillars were even out, synthetic turf was installed. Facilities Manager, Rich Griffin, says, “This new turf is the same as what was installed in the play area between the two buildings. It’s practically maintenance free, keeps its great look, and provides a soft landing, too.”
Griffin says the removal of the solid cement pillars was a big job made easy with help from an IPA family-owned construction company. “We’re very grateful that the Onaga family could assist the school in getting the job done. They saw-cut the pillars and even hauled them away.” The pillars were cut below-grade making things easier for Griffin’s team to landscape the area.
“The whole outdoor area looks so much bigger and open,” Ross says. The blue tunnel pieces remain, but the old play structure is gone. “The next step is relocating the garden boxes out on the big field to make them more accessible for the Kindergarten and Grade 1 students. We’ll be putting them in around the shady tree near the building and where the present Kindergarten plantings are now.”
Next steps include updated shade sails and the creation of a quiet shady place for students of all grades to read outside, perhaps near the relocated garden under the tree. Ross says, “We have future plans for adding a sandbox and water feature. There’s still a lot to do, but I think the kids are going to love it!”
