Penticton hockey great gives back to his hometown

PENTICTON – Chicago Blackhawks defenceman and Penticton native Duncan Keith returned to his hometown earlier this week to be on hand for the unveiling of the results of phase two of his three-year partnership with Okanagan Similkameen Neurological Society Child and Youth Development Centre.

The Duncan Keith Adventure Playground officially opened on Wednesday, June 26, outside KinderPlace Preschool, part of a three-year partnership OSNS has entered into with Keith’s charity Keith Relief.

The project provides $50,000 annually over three years to renovate the society's outdoor spaces in addition to providing financial aid to families in crisis.

The new play space has artificial grass surrounded by a soft rubber track. The playground also features some natural wooden boats and a play kitchen.

The track and the grass are designed to absorb falls, and the even surface makes it a better learning area for practising activities requiring balance and coordination.

Community engagement coordinator Meg Dimma said in a press release issued earlier this week children enjoy using the track to practise bike riding.

Wildstone Construction Group and Western Safety Surfacing Inc. completed the improvements.

Keith has also dedicated funds to OSNS families in financial crisis. The money is used throughout the year to help those who are most in need.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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