NANAIMO – BC New Democrat MLA Sheila Malcolmson says students at Fairview Community School will soon be playing and exploring on a new universally-accessible playground, thanks to $200,000 in provincial funding for Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District.

“When children play, they practice how to share, communicate, and resolve conflict,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo – Gabriola Island. “I saw what a difference the playground made at schools like Quarterway, and it’s great news we can fund an accessible playground for Fairview Community School next.”

Twenty-five schools in twenty-two school districts across BC will receive $200,000 to fund the construction of new accessible school playgrounds. This investment will help the school replace aging equipment with a modern, inclusive play space designed for children of all abilities.

Since 2018, the provincial government has invested $50 million towards the construction of over 332 new playgrounds, benefitting over 88,000 students throughout the province. Before 2018, Parent Advisory Councils were often responsible for raising the full cost of new playgrounds on their own. Today, dedicated provincial funding has eased that burden, helping ensure schools across B.C. can build modern, accessible playgrounds without relying on extensive parent fundraising.

In Nanaimo – Ladysmith School District new accessible playgrounds were recently funded at Mountain View Elementary in 2024, Cilaire Elementary in 2022, and Quarterway in 2021.

Since 2017, the Province has approved nearly over $106 million to create 1,035 new seats and 890 seismically safer seats for students in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District, and has approved over $59 million in minor capital funding to maintain existing school district infrastructure (roof replacements, HVAC upgrades, etc.).