VANCOUVER – Vancouver-Kingsway MLA Adrian Dix and Vancouver-Fraserview MLA George Chow attended John Norquay Elementary today to celebrate the grand opening of a new, accessible playground, along with three other new or accessible playgrounds at Vancouver schools.
The playground equipment program provides annual funding for playgrounds at public schools throughout the province. The program was launched in May 2018 by Minister of Education Rob Fleming to relieve the fundraising burden for parents. Since then $10 million has been invested in 101 new playgrounds, benefitting about 25,000 B.C. children, contributing to their positive health and well-being now and into the future.
Made possible through the Playground Equipment Program (PEP), the funding for new or accessible playgrounds is part of the Province’s commitment to update aging infrastructure in B.C. schools to provide safe, enjoyable and accessible learning environments that set children up for success. In Vancouver, John Norquay, Waverly and University Hill elementary schools each received $105,000 to build universally accessible playgrounds. General Brock Elementary also received $90,000 for a new, standard playground.
Playgrounds help promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles, encourage children to share, develop conflict resolution skills and overcome challenges, and help students learn more effectively in the classroom. Previously, parents were expected to fundraise tens of thousands of dollars to replace and upgrade school playground equipment. The PEP helps ensure equality among children attending schools with different financial resources and fundraising capacity.
Every school district has now received at least one new playground. School districts in B.C. have the opportunity to apply for the funding by sending a list of priorities in their capital plan submissions in June of each year.
Quotes:
“This is great news for the children and families of John Norquay Elementary. Our government is investing in the education and well-being of all children, because students deserve to have the resources they need to thrive.” – Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway
“Every child deserves a place to play and I am so proud that our government is taking action to fund universally accessible playgrounds across the province, including at Waverly Elementary. Playgrounds give our community members an opportunity to come together and socialize while giving our children the physical exercise they need to stay healthy.” – George Chow, MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview
Learn More:
The Playground Equipment Program – https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/capital/programs