Grant Brings New Playgrounds for Local Schools

by John Yap, MLA Richmond-Steveston
(Steveston, BC Canada)

The Jessie Wowk and Manoah Steves Elementary schools will receive more than $25,000 in new playground equipment, thanks to funding from the Province and school parent groups, Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap announced today.

"This is a positive project for both the schools and their surrounding communities," said Yap. "By refurbishing and rebuilding these playgrounds, we are encouraging our youth to stay active, engage in structured play and commit to a healthier lifestyle."

Around B.C., 66 schools will receive up to $20,000 for building or refurbishing playground structures. The following Richmond schools received grants:

Jessie Wowk Elementary - $20,000

Manoah Steves Elementary - $6,579.43

Kingswood Elementary - $20,000

The $1 million in playground grants are part of the Province's move, through ActNow BC and the Ministry of Education, to fight childhood obesity and obesity-related diseases in our youth. Sixty-six schools across the province received grants, administered through the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC).

ActNow BC is a partnership-based cross-ministry health and wellness initiative that promotes healthy living choices to improve the quality of life for all British Columbians. A key goal of the initiative is to make British Columbia the healthiest region ever to host an Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2010.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General is also providing $3 million in playground funding and the province has provided $2.5 million to support Rick Hansen's Let's Play disability-friendly playgrounds.

To further promote healthy choices and lifestyles in children and youth, the Province has expanded the School Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program, mandated daily physical activity for students, and has eliminated the sale of junk food in elementary schools. The government will eliminate junk food sales in secondary schools by September 2008 and has passed legislation to ban tobacco use on school grounds.

Visit John's website at: www.johnyapmla.bc.ca