Winnipeg, MB - Students at La Barriere Crossings and Parc La Salle schools and the families in their neighbourhoods can enjoy more outdoor learning and recreational experiences now that improvements have been made to their school yards, Dave Gaudreau, MLA, St. Norbert, on behalf of Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Kevin Chief, minister responsible for the City of Winnipeg, and Councillor Justin Swandel, St. Norbert Ward, on behalf of Mayor Sam Katz, announced today.
“Outdoor classrooms provide a different way of engaging students in their studies in a natural, healthy environment that encourages thinking beyond school walls,” said the minister. “Outside of school hours and activities, these settings will also offer families and community members a safe and restful green space for meetings, relaxing and enjoying recreation in the fresh air.”
Joint funding from the Manitoba government and the City of Winnipeg through Phase Two of the Building Communities Initiative (BCI) II provided $150,000 for improvements to the La Barriere Crossings School site and $100,000 for improvements to the Parc La Salle School site.
“This outdoor classroom will offer students a tremendous opportunity to connect with nature and learn in a fun, stimulating environment,” said Councillor Justin Swandel, St. Norbert Ward. “We are proud to support these projects which will benefit not only students and teachers, but the entire community.”
Improvements to the La Barriere Crossings School site include new outdoor classroom space and a seating wall, pathways, fitness stations, benches and trees. Improvements to the Parc La Salle School site include new pathways, trees, picnic tables, benches and seating area and paving stone checker board. Staff from both schools were involved in developing these projects.
The La Barriere Crossings and Parc La Salle school site improvements are two of the 38 BCI II, Phase Two projects approved since March 2013. The BCI II partnership is a multi-year, cost-shared capital initiative developed jointly by the Manitoba government and the City of Winnipeg. The goal of the funding is to support community revitalization through improvements to local infrastructure in targeted older neighbourhoods and contribute to the vitality, safety and health of communities throughout the city.
Phase One of BCI II provided a total of $10 million between 2010 and 2013. Of the 38 Phase One projects, 35 have been completed, with the remaining three to be completed by spring 2014. Projects included improving athletic fields, playgrounds and structures, splash pads, lighting, seating, pathways in parks, upgrades and the expansion of community centres.