HRM Schools Get Investment For Playground Equipment

NOTE: A list of organizations and funding amounts follows the release.

School children in Halifax Regional Municipality will soon get to spend their recesses and lunch hours on new playground equipment thanks to $192,000 worth of investments announced today, May 27, by the province.

Health Promotion and Protection Minister Barry Barnet announced the investments at Smokey Drive Elementary School in Lower Sackville. The projects range from playground improvements to the construction of new playgrounds.

"Research tells us that active children are more likely to grow up to be active adults. It is important that we provide our young people with safe and accessible places to play," said Mr. Barnet.

The investments were made from the province's $3-million recreation facility development program. The program supports community groups, municipalities and other not-for-profit organizations to develop facilities, such as playgrounds, to increase physical activity opportunities for Nova Scotians.

"We have worked very hard all year and this announcement, this commitment from the province, is extremely exciting and once again demonstrates how much they value our students being physically active and healthy," said Beth Moser, principal of Smokey Drive School.

Through the recreation facility development program and the Building Facilities and Infrastructure Together program, the province has committed to invest $98 million in sport and recreation facilities, and infrastructure by 2017.

"One of our priorities is to make communities across Nova Scotia healthier and safer," said Mr. Barnet. "With these investments we have taken another positive step in reaching that goal."

Note: A list of organizations and the funding amounts are:

• Caudle Park Home and School Association Playground Committee, to replace equipment and install a new accessible playground, $25,000;

• Holland Road School PTA, to replace playground equipment, $30,000;

• John W. MacLeod/Fleming Tower Home and School Association, to improve playground area at both schools, $30,000;

• Robert Kempt Turner Playground Committee, to replace playground equipment, $25,000;

• Smokey Drive Elementary Playground Committee, to replace playground equipment, $22,000;

• St. Stephen Elementary School Playground Committee, to create a safe playground area for school and community use, $30,000;

• Waverley Road School Safety and Naturalization Committee, to improve the playground area and install new accessible equipment, $15,000;

• West Chezzetcook Playground Committee, to replace playground equipment, $15,000.