Recess just got a lot more fun!
Students in fifty-one schools across the province are about to get brand new playgrounds according to an announcement from the provincial government.
Through the ongoing Playground Equipment Program, the government is issuing a total of $5 million per year to school districts specifically for the purpose of buying or upgrading playground equipment.
For this year, 26 schools are receiving $90,000 for a standard playground, and 25 schools will be getting $105,000 for a universally accessible playground. This allocation is expected to be utilized by September, before the new school year starts.
“All students deserve quality, safe and accessible playgrounds at school, regardless of how much their parents can fundraise,” said Premier Horgan. “That’s why we’re lifting the burden off of parents by investing $5 million today, and every year moving forward, to build playgrounds where they are needed most.”
The funding is being distributed on need-based premise, where schools that have no playgrounds at all are being financed first.
These 10 Vancouver Island school districts will be getting new playgrounds this year
- Greater Victoria School District (SD 61): $105,000 for an accessible playground at Quadra Elementary
- Sooke School District (SD 62): $105,000 for an accessible playground at Poirier Elementary
- Gulf Islands School District (SD 64): $90,000 for a standard playground at Saturna Island Elementary
- Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District (SD 68): $105,000 for an accessible playground at Georgia Avenue Elementary
- Alberni School District (SD 70): $105,000 for an accessible playground at EJ Dunn Elementary
- Comox Valley School District (SD 71): $105,000 for an accessible playground at Courtenay Elementary
- Campbell River School District (SD 72): $90,000 for a standard playground at Cedar Elementary
- Cowichan Valley School District (SD 79): $105,000 for an accessible playground at Mill Bay Elementary
- Vancouver Island West School District (SD 84): $90,000 for a standard playground at Kyuquot Elementary/Secondary
- Vancouver Island North School District (SD 85): $105,000 for an accessible playground at Fort Rupert Elementary
