Mackay and PEL students will soon play in fully-accessible playground

Three years ago, students and staff at the Mackay Centre and Philip E. Layton (PEL) schools began their academic year at a new, state-of-the-art campus located in N.D.G. While the building was ready for learning and therapy on the first day of school, plans were put on hold for one very important piece – a fully accessible and inclusive playground – until now. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer.

In case you are not familiar with these two English Montreal School Board (EMSB) schools, I’d like to explain their mandate. They currently accommodate 189 students with motor, language and communication disorders, as well as students with developmental, intellectual, auditory or visual impairments and many other disorders or organic impairments. It is the only English-language school that offers specialized education following the Ministry of Education’s curriculum along with a range of on-site therapies provided in seamless partnership with the Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre, a leader in physical rehab for children. The schools' service students from all of Quebec's English-language school boards.

Studies have shown that play in school is crucial not only for the development of a child’s physical skills, but also their imagination, coordination, social skills, and self-esteem, to name just a few.

Full plans for the playground, which will be located on the school campus, are exciting to see. Each element was carefully selected for maximum accessibility and participation that engages all the senses while integrating and balancing colour, texture, nature, shade, and slope.

The project is evaluated at $2 million, with half already raised, thanks to a leadership contribution by the Fondation Sami Fruits pour les Petits, a long-time supporter of the schools. Accordingly, the Habilitas Foundation (formerly MAB-Mackay Foundation) has launched a major campaign, called “Every Child Has A Right To Play” to secure the remaining $1 million.

The playground fundraising campaign is being co-chaired by Pierre Boivin, chief executive officer of Claridge and former president of the Montreal Canadiens, and his daughter Catherine Boivin, a former student at the Mackay Centre School, who is now 41 years old. “The Mackay Centre played a formative role in my early childhood and allowed me to make my first strides in life with confidence. I am thrilled to be able to contribute to the mission and vision of the Habilitas Foundation for a state-of-the-art school environment that gives every student a fulfilling experience,” said Catherine Boivin.

The playground will allow our Mackay Centre and PEL students to wheel, slide, and swing, to express their creativity, explore, engage in activities with peers, and develop physically, socially, and emotionally. Most importantly, it will just allow them to be kids and play, without any barriers to accessibility.

For more information on the “Every Child Has A Right To Play” campaign, visit www.habilitas.ca/everychild.

Watch this CTV video at https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2311607

Nick Katalifos is the director general of the English Montreal School Board, board member of the Transforming Autism Care Consortium, and special advisor to Inspirations.