A New Westminster man didn't get a lot of sympathy from city council when appealing for assistance with the removal of a playground at the school in his neighbourhood.
Paul Johansen, a member of the district parent advisory council, appeared at the Feb. 4 city council meeting seeking the city's help with the demolition of the playground at F.W. Howay Elementary School.
The parent council recently learned that the school district wouldn't cover the cost of the playground removal, which is expected to cost about $4,000.
Johansen sought the city's assistance in helping with the removal of the existing playground, noting that the city is responsible for booking the school's field after hours.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr said the school district is in a "huge deficit" situation.
"If you need a hand, look at the end of your arm," he said.
Puchmayr said he's be willing to help and offer his truck to help with the playground removal.
"If that were in my neighbourhood, I wouldn't even be coming here, I would be doing it," he said.
Johansen told council that the school has a lot of volunteers who are ready to help remove the playground, but they need a backhoe to get the work done - something he had hoped the city may be able to provide.
Johansen recently told The Record that the school district has helped with playground removal costs in the past, so the parents council didn't anticipate having to pay for those services. Last year, the school district received a $50,000 grant from the provincial government for a new playground at F.W. Howay, as well as a $25,000 grant for Queen Elizabeth Elementary.
