June 5, 2014
New Playground at King Edward School Increases Play, Recreational Opportunities for Students, Community
– – –Province-City Partnership Completes Community-identified Playground Project
King Edward School students, their families and other local residents can now enjoy a redeveloped community meeting space, and more exercise and recreational opportunities on the new playground in the school yard, Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Kevin Chief, minister responsible for the City of Winnipeg, and Mike Pagtakhan, city councillor, Point Douglas, announced today.
“I am so proud of the work our community has done to create a new playground that encourages, fitness, recreation and thinking beyond school walls,” said Minister Chief. “The design of this playground honours the culture of the neighbourhood and provides a place for students, friends and families to gather. By working together, we have turned a plain field into a playground that provides opportunities for fun physical activity and a place to find belonging.”
Joint funding from the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg through the Building Communities Initiative (BCI) II provided $100,000 for improvements to the school playground. The City of Winnipeg also supported the project with a $33,000 commitment through the Community Incentive Grant Program.
“The development of the King Edward School playground is a huge success story of collaboration, innovation and community pride,” said Pagtakhan. “I am proud the city played a leading role to ensure this fantastic play area became a reality for young people in the community.”
The new school grounds now include an early-years play space with sand area boulders, wiggle walls, balance/climbing logs, distributed play structure equipment, a stage and amphitheatre to support the arts, a berm with a built-in slide, a half basketball court, a paved fitness loop for cycling, rollerblades and strollers, a family picnic area, new hard-top area, a re-sodded playing field, electrical service to the stage and four LED light posts to enhance site safety.
“This is a proud moment for our community,” said Aaron Benarroch, principal, King Edward School. “We have been able to make the wishes of our parents and students come to life and transform the school grounds into a vibrant gathering place.”
“Everything we asked for has come true; I can’t believe it!” added Sue Kheller, parent council representative.
The King Edward School playground project is one of 34 BCI II, Phase Two projects announced in March 2013. Joint funding for these projects totals $10 million. The BCI partnership is a multi-year, cost-shared capital initiative developed jointly by the Manitoba government and the City of Winnipeg.
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