Playground planned at former site of Victoria tent city

The province has announced plans to turn the site of a former homeless camp in Victoria into a playground.

The lawn of Victoria's courthouse was home to roughly 100 of the city's homeless for almost a year before the province received a court injunction to remove the campers after it provided more supportive housing in Victoria.

The tents came down in August.

"The decision has been made to convert that former park at the courthouse to a children's playground," said Amrik Virk, the Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services.

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A playground emerged as the most popular choice during discussions with people who live in the area, Virk said.

It will be accessible to children of all ages and abilities, and the design will include features such as chess tables and seating for adults and seniors.

The playground will also be closed from dusk-to-dawn each day and overnight camping will not be permitted, the province said.

Contaminated soil

Contaminated soil has to be removed from the property before work can start to install a playground.

Cooking fires and drug use by people living in the tent camp left behind contaminants, including trace amounts of methamphetamines, Virk said.

"We are taking no chances. We are going to take off about a foot and a half of soil. It's about 75 dump trucks full of soil out of that site," he said.

A rat infestation was also a problem at the site, but that has now been dealt with, Virk added.

Previous estimates pegged the cost of cleaning up the tent city property at as much as $350,000, but the province said it is waiting for another estimate and it likely won't cost that much. 

Playground welcomed

People in the neighbourhood around the homeless camp struggled to deal with drug use at the site and disturbances that were associated with it, and the announcement of a playground was welcomed.

"It's nice to put that chapter to bed, so to speak," said Stuart Hall, principal of the nearby Christ Church Cathedral School.

"It's just really uplifting to know that that space will now be turned into something that will benefit the whole community, including the children."

Victoria's mayor said the playground also fills a need as more families move to the city's downtown area.

"Our downtown population is exploding right now," Lisa Helps said. "Having that park there, a playground, also equipment for older adults will be good for everbody."

The province has committed to the capital costs to install the playground and other amenities, but the city may end up taking over maintenance costs, Helps said.

"I think if we can maintain the playground but we don't need to build it, I think that's a very good deal for the city and for our residents."

Children from neighbourhood schools will help in the design of the new playground, the province said.