April 2008

Gaming Grants to Fund Almost
100 School Playgrounds

Children at almost 100 schools will have better places to climb, swing and play as parent advisory councils (PACS) receive $1.53 million in community gaming grants this year, Solicitor General John van Dongen and Education Minister Shirley Bond announced April 21, 2008.

"Improving playgrounds at local schools is a great way to encourage our children and youth to become more active, and furthers our government's commitment to help them achieve the highest levels of fitness," said van Dongen. "The volume and quality of proposals spurred us to dedicate an extra $530,000, over the $1 million we had committed this year, to support more than one-third of the applications received."

The Province will be giving priority to those with:

• No playground equipment, or equipment that is scheduled for removal during or shortly after the current school year, or equipment that has already been partially removed;
  
  
• Support from the local school authority for installing the equipment; and
  
  
• Matching funds already raised.

The maximum playground grants PAC's may receive is $20,000, and they must demonstrate that they already raised matching funds. All projects must be completed by the beginning of the following school year.

For guidelines and information on community gaming grants, including playground grants, please visit www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming/ online.