TISDALE — A survey has gone live, asking community stakeholders their opinion on what additions should be made to the outdoor area around Tisdale Middle & Secondary School (TMSS).
The survey is open to students, parents and other community members.
Dallas Thiessen, TMSS’ vice principal and member of the new playground committee, said the school had begun discussing the idea last year, but due to the pandemic the committee was only formed a month ago.
Thiessen previously completed his master’s research in the area of revitalizing school grounds to be more innovative, educational, sustainable and culturally responsive.
“This is the beginning of many phases to come,” he said.
“We believe that this is a community space that will be enjoyed by everybody and we know it’s going to take a collective effort so we want to involve all stakeholders.”
The committee proposed a series of ideas on the survey, but also left a space for people to input their own.
Proposed ideas include an outdoor classroom, amphitheatre and hill, community garden, art wall, log climbing structure, Indigenous pedagogy, various seating areas, shelter/gazebo, track, trees/orchard, water feature, open field for sports/recreation, sensory component, pathway joining the skate park to Kinsmen Trails, and updates to current features including the flower beds and tarmac.
“Another reason we wanted to do the survey is to prioritize phases of the project,” Thiessen said.
“It’s going to take a collective effort and take grants and that sort of thing. If the community and students and staff feel an outdoor classroom is most important, maybe that’s where we’ll start prioritizing building.”
No current structures or sports areas are expected to be removed or negatively impacted by the additions.
As an example, if an outdoor track is selected as a build, Thiessen said it could be implemented around the football field.
“All the stuff is going to stay exactly the way it is, we have a lot of greenspace that isn’t being used at all.”
The survey can be filled out here. It will be left online until March 26.
