Richmonds Westwind and Woodward elementary schools are among forty-four elementary and middle schools in B.C. that will be given first priority for $8 million in new provincial playground funding, Premier Christy Clark announced Friday in Delta.
"The province is providing $8 million over the next two years to assist with the installation, the upgrade and the replacement of playground equipment for public elementary and middle schools all across British Columbia," Clark said in a news conference at South Delta's South Park elementary school playground.
Clark spent a few minutes playing with kids at the playground before sliding down the slide a few times herself.
"It really does make a difference playgrounds for kids because they are an extension of the classroom," Clark said. "They are a way for children to learn all those things that they need, that they may not learn sitting down in the classroom, but that are nonetheless a really important part of education, [such as] learning to get along, learning to play independently and getting the physical activity that gets their brain going.
The announcement comes as two school districts Kelowna and Prince George are cancelling recess due to the teachers' job action.
Lower Mainland schools listed as recipients for the initial funding include Westwind and Woodward in Richmond, Adams Road and Hazelgrove in Surrey, and Citadel, Como Lake, Kwayhquitlum and Maillard in Coquitlam.
Playgrounds that were built this year will get reimbursed $50,000 and new schools will be built with playgrounds as part of the government's capital project agreement with school districts.
