Pender Harbour Elementary School is one of 44 schools around the province that will be getting new or upgraded playgrounds, thanks to funding from the province.
On Friday, Sept. 2, Premier Christy Clark announced $8 million in funding for the 44 projects.
"Learning continues outside the classroom, and playgrounds are a venue where kids come together and learn from each other through play," said Clark in a news release. "Playgrounds are a reminder to all of us that providing access to safe spaces helps make kids happier, healthier and ready to learn."
According to the Ministry of Education, elementary and middle schools province-wide will be eligible for the playground funding, which will ensure that every public elementary school -and every middle school that wants one - will have a playground for their students. Currently there are about 1,347 public elementary and middle schools in B.C.,44 of which have been identified as having no playground equipment at all. Those schools will be given first priority.
The Ministry of Education is currently working with school districts and parent advisory councils in the province to identify schools that had playgrounds built this year that will benefit from up to $50,000 in reimbursements. The remaining funds will go towards upgrading or replacing equipment at existing public school playgrounds.
To ensure that 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 include the installation of playground equipment when building an elementary school.
