April 14, 2014
Manitoba Government Invests in New Gym for Kelvin High School
– – –New 10,000-sq.-ft. Gym to Benefit Students, Community: Premier Selinger
Students at École secondaire Kelvin High School and families in River Heights will soon benefit from a new gym, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“With a student population now over 1,200, we know how important it is to provide young people with quality learning spaces for students to succeed in school. This new gym will help encourage students to get active and participate in sports while expanding the school’s instructional space, which will allow for more programs to be offered to students,” said Premier Selinger.
The new gym will be approximately 10,000 square feet and will include new changing facilities and an elevator to meet access requirements.
“We know gyms are much more than a place to exercise, they are central to our communities. In our growing neighbourhoods, people of all ages use gyms for a variety of functions. This helps to bring the community together and build relationships and friendships,” said the premier.
“The new gym will enhance the learning environment for students and bring members of the school community together in many ways,” said Suzanne Hrynyk, chair, board of trustees, Winnipeg School Division. “I am a firm believer in the benefits of participating in sports and recreational activities that support and promote a healthy school community.”
Funding for the new Kelvin gym comes from the province’s $50-million Active Schools Fund. Since 2011, the fund has provided financial support to 14 schools to build or renovate gym space.
“Students, teachers, parents and other members of the Kelvin school community have been looking forward to this announcement for some time,” said principal Jim Brown. “This new gym will create more opportunities to get active and participate in sports, and that in turn will help to promote learning and ensure students learn the value of healthy lifestyle choices at an early age.”
The school division will begin the design phase as soon as possible with construction anticipated to start next year and completion expected by December 2016.
“This major construction project, along with a record number of school capital projects, is helping to strengthen our province and provide good quality jobs for Manitoba families,” the premier said. “Our government is building new schools, expanding gyms, renovating science labs and adding classrooms across the province to meet the needs of Manitoba families.”
Since 1999, the Manitoba government has invested over $1 billion in public school capital projects.
- 30 -