Sask. grant offering lifeline for schools with aging playgrounds

On Tuesday, the province opened up the application process for the School Playground Equipment Grant Program. Damian Smith reports.

For nearly 10 years, the catholic school community council at École St Angela Merici has been fundraising to build a new playground for its youngest students.

“It’s a structure that was constructed when the school first opened here,” Michael Orosz explained, who serves as the co-chair of the school’s playground committee.

“The structure itself is just old. There’s not a lot of activity or interaction with the structure at this point. For us, we want to have a structure that is really engaging for the students.”

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Now, the provincial government is throwing a lifeline to schools in similar situations – with applications now open for the new school playground equipment grant.

Eligible projects can apply to receive up to $50,000 in matching funds to build, add to or replace new structures.

“It’s not only your physical and mental well-being – it’s learning to be part of the community,” Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport Alana Ross explained.

“It’s learning to establish friendships. It teaches them so much, so it is extremely important that all children have that opportunity.”

Over the next four years, the province will be investing $3.75 million-a-year to enrich outdoor play spaces in Saskatchewan and make them more accessible for everyone.

The announcement was music to the ears of those like Orosz.

“It’s very exciting for us to be able to engage with the government,” he said. “$50,000 in terms of a replacement for a structure like this, is a significant portion of the overall capital that’s required to do those types of work. So, we’re extremely excited about it, the program seems to be a perfect fit for us.”

Children with physical, mental or audible disabilities sometimes face barriers in using play equipment – due to a lack of accessible design.

“It becomes a necessity and a requirement that we feel is really important,” Orosz said. “For moving forward with our build for the new structure, we definitely want to take into consideration the inclusivity piece, the substrate, and the ground conditions that they can access.”

Applications will be open until February of next year, on a first come, first served basis.

Projects must be completed within one year from the approval date.