The provincial government has announced a $5-million annual fund for playground construction at schools, ending a longstanding concern among parent advisory councils that have historically fundraised for recreation facilities on school property.
Jan Mezei, president of the B. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils, said the funding will relieve the burden of playground fundraising from school PACs and ensure that safe, accessible playgrounds are available for all students.
“The new playground funding recognizes the pressure on parents to replace aging playground equipment,” Mezei told a press conference in Victoria Tuesday where Premier John Horgan and Education Minister Rob Fleming announced the cash.
This year 51 schools will get new playground equipment, including Moody middle school, which will receive $105,000 for an accessible playground.
Districts applied for the funding in April, 2018 and funds are being awarded based on greatest need.
Priority is give to schools where there is currently no playground, and then to schools where the existing playground is aging. Districts that did not receive funding this year will receive funding next year, if they apply for it.
