Kat has been after me for several years to build something for the kids in the back yard.

So this summer is when it all comes together. First the finishing touches on the deck, then the patio stones, and now a playcenter for the kids.

• I started with a 8'x8' square (if I was to do it all over again, I'd think twice about 8'x8'...it doesn't sound that large, but it is bigger than it needs to be)
• using 4"x4"x8' posts, I raised the floor 4'3" off the ground to make room for a sandbox at the bottom (I wish I'd used 4"x4"x12' posts instead and allowed for taller ceiling on top as well as more clearance underneath)
• the first wall is finished both top and bottom using 3/4" plywood since I plan on installing climbing rocks on it; all other walls are thinner
• I dug a trench in the middle of the night (to get away from this never-ending Okanagan heat!) from the shed to the playcenter and buried an outdoor electrical cable
• plug and lights are GFI protected and encased in 1/2" electric tubing; one light is installed underneath for the sandbox, a larger light is on the ceiling above
• roof is 2"x4"x8' rafters, spaced 24" apart
• started installing shingles
• did a trip to Vancouver's MEC and bought myself a Metolius 35 holds "Kids Mega Pack" + 2 extra-large bucket holds to finish the climbing wall
• roof is done, painting is done, and climbing rocks are back on the wall

Project took more than a month. See the the rest of the pictures from September to see how it was finished.