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.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.