THOUSANDS more students will soon have access to new, safe and accessible playgrounds that support play and health as the Province continues to support the Playground Equipment Program (PEP) for a sixth year.
“Playgrounds are excellent for our kids’ physical and mental health, and are spaces where they can be themselves and express their fun-loving nature,” said Rachna Singh, Minister of Education and Child Care, on Tuesday. “Our government is helping communities throughout the province with better access to modern playground equipment that will benefit everyone.”
This year, the PEP will provide $5 million toward 25 new school playgrounds across 25 school districts. The Province has increased the amount of funding that school districts will receive per playground to $195,000. Playgrounds are expected to be designed, built and installed over the next year. The program significantly reduces parent-led fundraising that was previously needed to help build playgrounds.
Playgrounds promote physical activity, while encouraging students to share and develop conflict-resolution skills. They also provide students with opportunities to learn new things, reduce anxiety, improve focus, increase attention span, and enhance gross-motor, social, emotional and sensory development.
Since 2018, government has supported students and families with $35 million for new playgrounds at 256 schools, benefiting more than 63,000 students. This funding builds on the Province’s commitment to provide safe learning environments for all students.
Budget 2023 includes $3.4 billion for school capital projects over the next three years, including new and expanded schools, seismic upgrades and replacements, and land purchases for future schools. Since September 2017, the Government of B.C. has announced $3.2 billion for new and improved schools, as well as land purchases for future schools throughout the province. This includes adding approximately 20,000 new student spaces and 33,000 seismically safe seats at B.C. schools.
Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Monashee, said: “Playing is essential to every child’s mental and physical health. The Alexis Park community’s playground has provided a safe place where children and families can play, create adventures and grow together for many more years to come.”
BACKGROUNDER
New accessible school playgrounds around B.C.
School districts in B.C. are receiving funding from the Playground Equipment Program, which was introduced in May 2018 to support building new and replacement playgrounds.
The following districts have been approved for $195,000 for an accessible playground at the schools listed below:
SD36 (Surrey)
* Holly Elementary
SD39 (Vancouver)
* G.T. Cunningham Elementary
SD5 (Southeast Kootenay)
* Frank J Mitchell Elementary
SD8 (Kootenay Lake)
* Canyon/Lister Elementary
SD10 (Arrow Lakes)
* Nakusp Elementary
SD19 (Revelstoke)
* Begbie View Elementary
SD33 (Chilliwack)
* Bernard Elementary
SD46 (Sunshine Coast)
* Kinnikinnick Elementary
SD48 (Sea to Sky)
* Garibaldi Highlands Elementary
SD51 (Boundary)
* Dr. D.A. Perley Elementary
SD58 (Nicola-Similkameen)
* Merritt Bench Elementary
SD59 (Peace River South)
* Canalta Elementary
SD62 (Sooke)
* Dunsmuir Middle School
SD64 (Gulf Islands)
* Fulford Community Elementary
SD69 (Qualicum)
* Arrowview Elementary
SD70 (Pacific Rim)
* Alberni Elementary
SD71 (Comox Valley)
* Denman Island Community School
SD72 (Campbell River)
* Pinecrest Elementary
SD79 (Cowichan Valley)
* Lake Cowichan Elementary
SD82 (Coast Mountains)
* Thornhill Primary
SD83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap)
* Armstrong Elementary
SD84 (Vancouver Island West)
* Captain Meares Elem-Secondary
SD85 (Vancouver Island North)
* Alert Bay Elementary
SD91 (Nechako Lakes)
* Fraser Lake Elementary-Secondary
SD92 (Nisga’a)
* Alvin A. Mckay Elementary School
