Aidan Goldie couldn't wait to try the new saucer swing.

It was big and inviting and looked like one of those flying saucer toboggans hanging from a swing set.

At least two children can sit on it. And if they face the right way, they have a view of the water and mountains at Kits Beach.

"It looks really cool," Aidan, 12, said, surveying the new accessible playground at Kits Beach. "When some people don't like to play on the beach they can come here."

The new half-acre playground, which was officially opened by the Vancouver park board Saturday, is a legacy project of the Winter Olympics -- one of three accessible playgrounds in Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler.

The playground is intended to allow children of all abilities to play side by side with their siblings, friends, families and caregivers. The playground is wheelchair-accessible, with a sand play table, rotating climber and saucer swings.

The $540,000 project was paid for in part by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada and Rick Hansen Foundation.

Rick Hansen said Saturday the playground is a "shining example" of what he tried to do when he started his Man in Motion tour 25 years ago -- to make communities for accessible and inclusive.

Back then, he said, "there were barriers everywhere. What keeps me going is people all over the world are knocking down those barriers. It isn't that easy."

Heather McCain, executive director of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods, said she's pleased to see the new surfaces, which are flat and have a grip to allow wheelchairs to use the playground. McCain, who has severe arthritis and needs a wheelchair, said when she was younger she had trouble walking on rocks and other uneven surfaces.

"[The surfaces] are more steady and sturdy for people who can walk but have difficulty with balance," she said. "I'd go to help a child falling down and I'd fall down myself."

McCain noted the definition of disability is changing. "Every user group there is can access this playground."

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/Accessible+playground+opens+Kits+Beach/3967085/story.html#ixzz182nQOiV5

When selling a home in Vancouver, here is a look at the costs involved:

Real estate fees: While there is no standard real estate fee, we can tell you what we charge. Our fee for marketing and selling your home is 7% on the 1st $100,000 and 2.5% on the balance of the sale price. This amount is split almost equally with the Realtor representing the buyer. In our case, this fee covers all advertising and marketing costs, the ordering of strata documents or any other necessary documents, and other other costs incurred in the process of selling your home. As an example, to sell a $500,000 home, the real estate costs would be $17,000.

Closing Costs: A lawyer or notary is required to complete the transfer of title and set-up any mortgage on the property. The cost for this service typically ranges from $600 - $9000.

Mortgage Pre-Payment Penalty: If you are locked into a fixed term mortgage and do not plan on 'porting' it (taking it with you to your next purchase) then you will be on the hook for a pre-payment penalty. This amount will vary depending on the terms of the mortgage, but will often be substantial. I have seen penalties ranging from $4,000 - $18,000. Be sure to talk to your mortgage broker to understand what these costs will be.

Adjustments: Depending on whether you are selling a detached home or a strata unit, there will be 'adjustments' made on the day of possession. These will include things like property taxes, gas bills and strata fees. For example, if you sell a home where the new owner will be responsible to back pay taxes for a period of time that you were residing in a property, you will be required to re-imburse them for the portion of the taxes payable while you were the primary owner. These costs can vary greatly depending on the property, but typically ranges from a couple of hundred dollars to a couple of thousand.

Moving: Depending whether you move yourself or hire professionals, this cost can range from almost free to upwards of $1000.

Staging: If you decide to stage your home, which can be extremely beneficial in helping your home show its best, you are looking at in initial cost of $2000 - $5000 for the the consultation and set-up, with subsequent months being roughly half of that.