Both Van Bien Elementary in Prince George and Valemount Elementary are set to receive two brand new playgrounds.

The provincial government announced they will be building 50 new playgrounds in 34 school districts this year, with the two schools being included in that list.

SD57 Chair, Tim Bennett said, “both of those school communities work so hard trying to fundraise. Now with the government offering their support, there is going to be pretty incredible playgrounds at both of those schools.”

Both Van Bien and Valemount will be receiving standard playgrounds, which will be covered by a combined $180,000 that School District 57 will receive for the construction costs of the two projects.

In the case of Van Bien, there already is a playground in place, but as Bennett explains, a second one is being needed.

“Van Bien is a growing school and needed an additional playground to help meet the needs of their school community.”

This year, the Playground Equipment Program will be investing $5-million into playground construction, including 30 universally accessible playgrounds.

The playgrounds are scheduled to be built over the next six months and are expected to be ready for kids to play on in the fall of this year.