Vancouver, British Columbia — Disregard superstitions for a moment because 13 appears to be the lucky number of British Columbia institutions due to receive rubber from 14,928 scrap tires sourced from the province, as part of the Tire Stewardship B.C. program.
The rubber, as well as the $5.8 million in grants dished out by the TSBC to date, will be used for the surfacing of playgrounds, walkways, parks and gathering spaces.
The grant aims to support municipalities, registered non-profit community groups, schools and First Nations and Métis settlements in building or upgrading their facilities with recycled tire materials.
“Tire Stewardship BC is pleased to provide financial support to organizations across the province that have chosen to use recycled tire rubber for their upcoming projects. These grant recipients will use B.C. rubber for the surfacing of various communal areas making them durable, non-toxic, and low maintenance,” said TSBC executive director Rosemary Sutton.
“Rubber surfacing made from B.C. scrap tires is also non-slip, making it safer for everyone, and it creates a soft landing in playground areas. Additionally, rubber surfacing is cost-effective and visually attractive.”
The following organizations received grants from the TSBC in 2022:
- SD #39 – Bayview Community School, a intermediate playground, Vancouver, B.C., using 764 tires
- City of Nanaimo, Maffeo Sutton Playground, Nanaimo, B.C., using 1709 tires
- City of White Rock, Emerson Park Playground, White Rock, using 975 tires
- Columbia Shuswap RD – Golden Arena, lobby floor replacement, Golden, B.C., using 213 tires
- Sustainable Housing – Cowichan Tribes, Quw’utsun Community Gathering Space & Outdoor Play, Duncan, B.C., using 565 tires
- District of Kent, Schep Park Resurfacing, Agassiz, B.C., using 3273 tires
- SD #39 – Simon Fraser Elementary, Intermediate Playground, Vancouver, B.C., using 2704 tires
- SD #43 – James Park Elementary, playground, Port Coquitlam, B.C., using 602 tires
- Town of Ladysmith, Ladysmith Spray Park, Ladysmith, B.C., using 154 tires
- Vancouver Park Board, Aberthau Playground, Vancouver, B.C., using 578 tires
- SD #52 – Ecole Roosevelt Park Community School, Playground Accessibility Upgrade, Prince Rupert, B.C., using 2502 tires
- SD #63 – Deep Cove Elementary, Naturescape playground, North Saanich, B.C., using 289 tires
- Town of Sidney, Wellness Park resurfacing, Sidney, B.C., using 600 tires
