A school in Greater Victoria and a park in Nanaimo are two of the latest recipients of rubberized surfacing material made from recycled automotive tires supplied by Tire Stewardship B.C.
The non-slip mat installed on an extension of the playground at Campus View Elementary School is made from 281 tires. The Campus View Elementary Parents Advisory Committee received a $9,000 grant from the group for the resurfacing costs.
The new surface at a playground in Nanaimo’s Maffeo Sutton Park was made from more than 1,700 recycled tires.
The City of Nanaimo received a $30,000 grant for that project from Tire Stewardship B.C., which awarded 13 grants this year across B.C. to assist with financing the installation of the rubber surfacing for community spaces.
The group is funded by advance disposal or eco fees paid on every new tire sold in B.C. — typically about $5, but more for larger tires.
Rosemary Sutton, executive director of the group, said the pour-in-place rubberized surfaces installed in playgrounds are cost-effective and environmentally friendly and make children’s play areas safer. This year, the initiative has repurposed close to 15,000 scrap tires for use in playgrounds, walkways, parks and public gathering spaces. The non-profit has given out more than $5.8 million in grants since 2009.
Since the program was established in 1991, it has recycled more than 100 million tires through Delta-based Western Rubber Products, which turns them into fine granules of rubber — called crumb rubber — that’s used to make playground surfaces, athletic tracks, horse mats and as an additive for rubberized asphalt and landscaping mulch.
• For more information, go to tsbc.ca.
>>> Concert to boost Community Living
Singer-songwriter Ivan Hartle will perform at The Concert for Hope Help Home, a fundraising event for Community Living Victoria, on Nov. 18 at the McPherson Playhouse.
The Vancouver-based artist plays elements of blues, soul, jazz and folk, both with a band and solo. Tickets start at $31.25. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square.
Community Living Victoria supports people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
• For more information, go to communitylivingvictoria.ca.
>>> Poinsettias support Kid Kave room at VGH
The deadline for purchasing a poinsettia from the Victoria General Hospital Auxiliary is fast approaching.
This year, the proceeds from the group’s annual Poinsettias for Patients campaign will go toward creating a special waiting room in the emergency department called the Kid Kave.
The group is also offering an Emergency Room Santa option, where the public can purchase a poinsettia as a seasonal gift for emergency workers and security personnel at the hospital. The long-lasting plants have been supplied by Hilltop Greenhouses for the past decade.
Plants in a variety of sizes range in price from $9 to $45. Order online or at the gift shop in the concourse at Victoria General Hospital. The deadline for ordering is mid-November with pick-up or delivery at the end of the month.
For more information, or to order, go to shop.vgha.ca or call 250-598-3385.
>>> Members sought for renters' committee
The City of Victoria is looking for members of the public to serve on its Renters’ Advisory Committee, External Grant Review Committee and the Greater Victoria Public Library Board.
The Renters’ Advisory Committee is looking for five members of the public to serve a two-year term. Applicants should have a professional and/or diverse background as renters or work in the rental advocacy sector.
The External Grant Review Committee is looking to fill two, one-year positions on the committee. Potential candidates should not be affiliated with organizations that apply for the city’s annual Strategic Plan Grant.
>>> Public library seeks board member
The Greater Victoria Public Library Board is recruiting one citizen appointee to serve on the board for a one-year term.
The deadline to apply for all three positions is Nov. 18. Successful applicants will be contacted in December. For more information, or to apply, go to victoria.ca/committees.
>>> Ballet and building community
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church has partnered with Ballet Victoria on a Building Community Together community event on Nov. 19 at the church’s Kirk Hal.
The event includes a tea luncheon and a ballet performance, along with a market with books and preserves.
There are two sittings, at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The entrance to the Kirk Hall is at 680 Courtney St. There is a passenger drop-off space outside and parking nearby at the Broughton Street parkade, 735 Broughton St.
Tickets are $15. Advance reservations are required by phoning St. Andrew’s church office at 778-587-1227. Leave a message and the church administrator will return your call. For more information, go to standrewsvictoria.ca/building-community-together.
>>> Developing neighbourhood projects
Saanich has launched a pilot project called the Neighbour to Neighbour Resilience Initiative to help groups develop neighbourhood projects.
The project, launched Oct. 28, invites residents to participate in interactive workshops on emergency preparedness, climate action and caring for nature.
After completing the workshops, groups will be eligible to apply for a $500 grant to complete a community project of their choosing that addresses climate change, emergency preparedness and caring for nature on a neighbourhood scale.
The project has room for three types of groups: residents of single-family homes or other ground-oriented buildings within a three-block radius; residents of a purpose-built rental building; and residents of a strata, co-op or other shared-ownership building.
There must be at least four households per group application.
Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and in order to fill each of the desired housing categories. The findings of the pilot will be used to amend and improve the program for subsequent intakes.
For more information, or to apply, go to saanich.ca/n2n.
>>> Fundraiser for Ukrainian relief efforts
The Cordova Bay United Church is hosting An Afternoon of Music, a fundraiser to support Ukrainian relief efforts in Victoria, on Sunday, Nov. 6.
The music recital will feature performances by Toshiko Tampo’s piano studio.
Admission is by donation. The event starts at 2 p.m. at the church, 813 Claremont Ave.
Online donations are accepted at cbunited.ca.
>>> Peers hosting cabaret-style performance and dinner
Peers Victoria Resources Society is hosting Peers Steps on the Gas, a cabaret-style performance and dinner, with proceeds going toward the purchase of a new night outreach van.
The event is set for 6 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at Kwench, 2031 Store St.
Peers Victoria’s night outreach van, Victoria’s only seven-night-a-week mobile service, brings support, food, harm reduction, clothing and other supplies to clients.
Outreach workers serve an average of 18 people nightly, with 25 per cent of service provided to unhoused people and 38 per cent to the Indigenous population.
The fundraising event features Vivian Vanderpuss (RuPaul’s Drag Race), comedy with Julya van der Sloot, music by Chai, Neo Soul Artist, burlesque with Ginger Kittens, Lil’ Jam Jam, Dollipop and Champagne Sparkles (Cheesecake Burlesque), pstudents from PoleCoven, dinner by Alison Bigg and dessert by Jennifer Smart and Bunny’s Kitchen.
Peers has also launched a silent auction that will close at 9 p.m. on the night of the event.
For tickets, which start at $43.45, go to eventbrite.
