PLAYTIME at 28 Kirklees schools is set to become much more fun thanks to a lottery grant.
Kirklees Council will receive £665,000 to modernise the primary school playgrounds and will contribute a further £118,000 bringing the total to £783,000.
Nearly 8,000 children from the schools will benefit as well as people from local communities.
The money has come from the National Lottery New Opportunities Fund with the aim of promoting sport in the community.
Vanessa Druett, New Opportunities Fund regional manager, said: "Our New Opportunities for PE and Sport programme is already having a major impact in schools and communities across the Yorkshire and Humber region and this latest £3m boost will bring new and improved facilities to thousands more.
"Every one of these grants, whether large or small, has a part to play in widening access to quality sports facilities, giving children, young people and communities the chance to choose a healthier lifestyle, boost their self-esteem and confidence and build a positive outlook and sense of achievement."
Sue Lord, communications officer for Kirklees education service, said the schemes would be professionally designed by Kirklees Council landscape architects and include ball games areas, activity zones with playground markings, stage areas, quiet areas for reading and areas to play tabletop games.
She said: "It is a really interesting and exciting development for schools."
Work is expected to start after Easter.
The schools to benefit are:
Ashbrow Infants and Ashbrow Junior, at Sheepridge; Christ Church Woodhouse CE (A) Junior, Infant and Nursery, Deighton; Stile Common Junior, Newsome; Helme CE(A) Junior and Infant; Wooldale Junior; Beech EY Junior and Infant, Golcar;
Almondbury Junior; Reinwood Infant and Nursery and Reinwood Junior, Oakes; St Patrick's Catholic Primary, Birkby; South Crosland CE(A) Junior, Netherton; Upperthong Junior and Infant; St Johns CE(A) Junior and Infant, Golcar; Birdsedge First; Nields Junior, Infant and Nursery, Slaithwaite; Bradley CE (C) Infant and Nursery; Bradley Junior;
Crosland Moor Junior, Skelmanthorpe First & Nursery; High Bank First & Nursery, Hightown Heights; Carlton Junior and Infant, Dewsbury; Chickenley Community Junior, Infant and Nursery; Ravensthorpe CE Junior; Heaton Ave First & Nursery, Cleckheaton; Overthorpe CE (C) Junior, Infant & Nursery; Mill Lane Junior, Infant & Early Years, Batley; St Peter's CE(A) Junior, Infant & Nursery, Birstall; Birstall Primary; Gomersal First; and Hanging Heaton CE (VC) Junior and Infant.
