$1 MILLION FOR PLAYGROUNDS HELPS KEEP CHILDREN ACTIVE

VANCOUVER – Children at 66 B.C. schools will enjoy new or refurbished playgrounds, with the allocation of $1 million in provincial funding and a partnership with the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils, Education Minister Shirley Bond, Minister of State for ActNow BC Gordon Hogg and BCCPAC president Kim Howland announced today.

“Children need safe, fun, accessible places to play,” said Bond. “Parents around B.C. work hard to create these environments for their children and all students, and I appreciate the hard work they do. The Province is pleased to partner with the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils to provide additional funding for school playgrounds.”

The BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) administered the funding with grants of up to $20,000 for local parent advisory councils, selected by lottery.

“Children’s health and safety is always a priority for parents,” said BCCPAC president Kim Howland. “Our members have been advocating for support in providing safe playground structures for a number of years. They are thankful for the new funding to help with the high cost of purchasing new safe playground equipment to support active, healthy play for our children.”

This investment in school playgrounds supports government’s goal to lead North America in healthy living and physical fitness and to “make every move a good move”. It also supports the Province’s Pacific Leadership Agenda, which aims to improve British Columbians’ health and renew the province’s public health-care system.

“New playground equipment will encourage kids to get back to basics, to play, and start interacting with one another,” said Hogg. “Active kids will lead more productive, healthier lives and will help us lead the way in North America in physical activity and healthy living.”

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.

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 to create accessible public play spaces.

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.

For more information on ActNow BC, visit www.actnowbc.gov.bc.ca.

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1 factsheet(s) attached.
Media contact:	Lara Perzoff Ministry of Education 250 356-5963 250 920-9040 (cell)

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