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New playground funded for Sparwood school
The B.C. Ministry of Education and Child Care announced Sparwood’s Frank J Mitchell Elementary School (SD5 – Southeast Kootenay) is one of 25 schools in the province to receive $195,000 from the Playground Equipment Program (PEP).
This year, the PEP will provide $5 million toward 25 new school playgrounds across 25 school districts. The province has increased the amount of funding that school districts will receive per playground to $195,000.
Playgrounds are expected to be designed, built and installed over the next year. The program significantly reduces parent-led fundraising that was previously needed to help build playgrounds.
“Playgrounds are excellent for our kids’ physical and mental health, and are spaces where they can be themselves and express their fun-loving nature,” said Rachna Singh, Minister of Education and Child Care. “Our government is helping communities throughout the province with better access to modern playground equipment that will benefit everyone.”
Playgrounds promote physical activity, while encouraging students to share and develop conflict-resolution skills. They also provide students with opportunities to learn new things, reduce anxiety, improve focus, increase attention span, and enhance gross-motor, social, emotional and sensory development.
e-KNOW file photo
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