January 13, 2016
Province Announces $50 Million for New and Upgraded Gyms at Manitoba Schools
More than 12 gyms in elementary and high schools across Manitoba will be upgraded to support active living for students, including a new gym and classroom expansion at Miles Macdonell Collegiate, Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum announced today.
“Parents want to be sure that while their children are learning the skills they need to go to university or college and get a good job, they are also learning how to stay active and healthy,” said Minister Allum. “We know that students who are active have more success in their studies and by investing in gyms, we’re committed to ensuring young Manitobans have more opportunities to be involved in sports and athletics.”
A new, 13,000-sq.-ft. gym addition, a new art room and the renovation of existing gym space into four classrooms at Miles Macdonell Collegiate will be the first project supported under this funding, Minister Allum added. In September 2016, Miles Macdonell Collegiate will be welcoming Grade 9 students for the first time, becoming a Grade 9 to 12 high school and growing the student population to 1,136 from 913. This new gym will help ensure that students have access to physical education programing, while the new art room and classroom space will help accommodate the increased enrolment, the minister said.
“We are very pleased to be getting a new gym at Miles Macdonell Collegiate and want to say thank you to the Manitoba government for making this decision,” said Colleen Carswell, board chair, River East Transcona School Division. “This has been a priority of the board’s for a few years and today’s announcement is excellent timing. We have embarked on the final phase of our reconfiguration plans for the division and will be moving Grade 9 students into the school in September. The construction of a new gym will be a tremendous benefit to our students.”
The previous $50-million Active Living Fund launched in 2011 resulted in 16 schools receiving new or upgraded gyms. The minister noted 12 of these projects are complete, while four are either in tender or under construction. Intake for the new $50-million fund will start immediately and it is expected that more than 12 new projects will be supported with the funding, Minister Allum added.
“These new gyms will provide students with more chance to get involved in sports and maintain active lifestyles that last a lifetime,” Minister Allum said. “These new gyms will help bring schools closer to their communities by being open for community groups and programing on evening and weekends.”
- 30 -