VICTORIA – New Democrat MLA Lana Popham say students at Children’s Development Center, Northridge Elementary, and Lake Hill Elementary will soon be playing on new accessible playgrounds, thanks to $495,000 in provincial funding, along with $3,783,792 in funding for school upgrades and new buses for the Saanich and Greater Victoria School Districts.
“These new playgrounds at Northridge Elementary, Lake Hill Elementary, and the Children’s Development Centre are an important part of our government’s commitment to making sure all children have access to quality learning environments, including ones that allow for healthy, outdoor play,” said Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich-South.
This year, New Democrats are doubling the annual investment to $10 million to deliver 60 new playgrounds in 50 school districts. Saanich and Greater Victoria School Districts received $165,000 for the new accessible playground, up $40,000 from previous years. This increase will allow the playground to be designed with accessible features like ground cover, ramps and/or transfer platforms that connect to the play structure – to ensure there’s a place for all students to play. The playground will be built over the next year and are expected to be ready for kids to play on by early 2022.
Playgrounds help kids stay active outdoors while learning to share, build conflict resolution skills and overcome challenges. Playing outside reduces anxiety and improves focus, helping kids to learn in the classroom.
This funding comes from the Playground Equipment Program (PEP), created in 2018 to reduce the burden of fundraising on parents and help communities buy the playground equipment students need. Since 2018, the New Democrat government has invested $25 million to fund 201 new playgrounds at schools throughout the province, benefiting more than 49,000 students.
Students will also benefit from upgraded and more energy-efficient learning environments, with $240.5 million in school maintenance grants distributed across the province this year. Saanich and Greater Victoria School Districts received a combined $3,783,792 this year for projects which include:
- Exterior wall systems at Victoria High, Mount Douglas Secondary
- HVAC upgrades at Bayside Middle and Spectrum Community
- Four new buses
Annual facilities maintenance grants have also supported school districts to plan and budget for upgrades and maintenance to school ventilation as students return to class. These investments are a part of the Province’s commitment to update infrastructure in B.C. schools to provide safe, enjoyable, and accessible learning environments. The New Democrat government has delivered historic levels of funding to B.C. schools, including $1.2 billion for new and improved schools for B.C. students in Budget 2021.
Learn More
Playgrounds: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021EDUC0074-001766
School maintenance grants: https://news.gov.bc.ca/24466