Students at Silver Creek Elementary School will soon have the opportunity to explore a brand-new playground.
Premier Christy Clark has announced $8 million over two years to support new, upgraded or replaced school playgrounds in the province.
Silver Creek will be receiving $50,000 for a new playground, after being identified by School District 83 as not having a playground and wanting one.
“Playgrounds are an extension of the classroom and play an important role in every child’s learning experience by promoting fun and healthy activity,” said Shuswap MLA George Abbott. “I hope the students at Silver Creek Elementary, and children throughout the community, enjoy their new playground.”
Public elementary and middle schools in B.C. are eligible for the playground funding, which will ensure that every public elementary school and every middle school that wants one, gets a playground for their students.
In addition, school districts have been asked to identify recently installed playgrounds that are eligible for reimbursement, and to prioritize those that require upgrades or replacements. Remaining funds will cover as many of those projects as possible.
Silver Creek is one of 44 public elementary and middle schools in B.C. receiving $50,000 for a new playground. Remaining funds will support more than 100 upgraded, replaced or recently installed playgrounds in the province.
To ensure every public elementary school has a playground for students from the time they open, the Ministry of Education will be amending their capital project agreement with school districts to ensure that the installation of playground equipment is included when building an elementary school.
Over the past 10 years, government has spent more than $1.8 billion to complete 83 new and replacement schools, 149 school additions, 26 renovations and 22 site acquisitions across the province.
In the same time, the province has committed more than $3.9 billion to school capital and maintenance.
