The province is spending $180,000 for new playgrounds at two schools in Kamloops.

Both Aberdeen Elementary and Oak Hills Primary schools will receive $90,000 from the Ministry of Education.

“Our government is committed to improving the learning environment at B.C. schools — safe, fun and accessible playgrounds are very much part of delivering on this commitment,” Education Minister Rob Fleming says in a news release. “And to make this happen, parents should not have to become dedicated fundraisers in their spare time.”

SD73 secretary treasurer Kelvin Stretch says those were the top-two playgrounds in the school district that needed replacing.

“The facilities department, they do a bit of an inventory on our playground equipment. And we sort of prioritize some of the areas that probably need replacement sooner than others,” Stretch says.

“Certainly anything the Ministry does with respect to providing additional funding to the district is beneficial. Certainly playgrounds are an area that seems our parent advisory councils spend a lot of time fundraising. So it’s good to see that we’re receiving some funding in this category.”

In Lytton, the Kumsheen Elementary-Secondary School also has received $105,000 dollars for a new playground.

In total, the province today announcing $5 million for playgrounds at 50 schools across the province.