September 2, 2011
Abbotsford schools benefit from $8 million for playgrounds

ABBOTSFORD – Students at six public schools in Abbotsford will soon have the opportunity to explore a brand-new playground, as Premier Christy Clark announced today $8 million over two years to support new, upgraded or replaced school playgrounds in the province.

Public elementary and middle schools in B.C. are eligible for the playground funding, which will ensure that every public elementary school and every middle school that wants one, gets a playground for their students.

The following schools will be receiving $50,000 each for a new playground, after being identified by Abbotsford School District (SD. 34) as not having a playground and wanting one:

• Abbotsford School of Integrated Arts (ASIA) – Sumas Mountain Campus
• WA Fraser Middle School
• Abbotsford Middle School
• Eugene Reimer Middle School
• Colleen and Gordie Howe Middle School
• Clayburn Middle School

In addition, school districts have been asked to identify recently installed playgrounds that are eligible for reimbursement, and to prioritize those that require upgrades or replacements. Remaining funds will cover as many of those projects as possible.

Quotes:

Michael de Jong, MLA for Abbotsford West:
“Healthier kids make better learners. We are making sure that every student has the opportunity to have both healthy play time and learning time so they can reach their full potential.”

John van Dongen, MLA for Abbotsford South:
“Playgrounds are an important part of growing up and these new playgrounds will be an important addition to both the school and the community.”

Randy Hawes, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission:
“I’m pleased to see that our schools are receiving new playgrounds for students to enjoy. They will not only benefit the students at these schools, they will benefit kids in the community at large.”

Quick Facts:

• Forty-four public elementary and middle schools in B.C. are receiving $50,000 for a new playground. Remaining funds will support more than a hundred upgraded, replaced or recently installed playgrounds in the province.
• To ensure 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 ensure that the installation of playground equipment is included when building an elementary school.
• Over the past 10 years, government has spent more than $1.8 billion to complete 83 new and replacement schools, 149 school additions, 26 renovations and 22 site acquisitions across the province.
• In the same time, the Province has committed more than $3.9 billion to school capital and maintenance

Learn More:

• For more information on Education in B.C. visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/bced/
• To learn more about Abbotsford School District (SD.34), visit their website: http://www.sd34.bc.ca/

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