TORONTO, Ont. – A playground in High Park, burnt to the ground in an arson attack this past March, has been given a second life.

Thanks to efforts from neighbours, community figures and well-known Canadian contractor Mike Holmes, the newly rebuilt Jamie Bell Playground was revealed to the community Saturday.

While it is set to completely open on Friday, the reveal was done Saturday, despite weather conditions delaying the final construction touches.

City councillor Sarah Doucette says volunteers have worked on the project through rain, shine and extreme heat.

“We had wheelbarrows and shovels and tarps, and people were filling them and moving them over and raking them out, the community has been absolutely fantastic,” Doucette said.

“We were standing here in the rain which delayed our start, it was much harder work but everybody chipped in,” Doucette added.

Holmes, who filmed the entire project for an episode of the HGTV show, “Holmes Make It Right,” said safety and making the structure last was key.

“When this is done, it will be probably one of the strongest structures in the neighbourhood, but more than anything, it’s going to be safe for the kids,” Holmes said.

“Not only will it be stunning, it’s going to last forever, when I build things it’s to last forever, it’s about the environment,” Holmes said. “It needs to be beautiful and safe inside.”

The rebuilding project was lead by landscape architect Janet Rosenberg.

The original structure first opened in 1998.