As part of the Manitoba government's new emphasis on increasing physical activity for students in Manitoba, Premier Wab Kinew and Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt are inviting schools across the province to participate in the Premier's Fitness Challenge, a new goal-setting program that encourages students to develop healthy, lifelong habits and be active every day.
"Every child in Manitoba deserves to grow up happy and healthy, and our schools should be places where kids learn the skills and habits they need to be happy and healthy as they learn and grow," said Kinew. "This challenge is for every student. It's all about inspiring kids in Manitoba to set goals, build confidence and develop healthy lifelong habits of movement that will lead to good physical health and mental health."
The fitness challenge encourages students, with the support of their teachers, to set personal physical activity goals and track their progress throughout the school year. Goals could include increasing daily steps, trying a new sport or physical activity, spending more time outdoors, improving fitness levels or building healthy, active habits.
School divisions are encouraged to find creative ways to incorporate the challenge into daily classroom schedules, the premier noted, adding that at the end of the school year, students who demonstrate improvement will receive recognition from the Manitoba government. Schools will also have the opportunity to receive up to $10,000 to support physical activity initiatives and help students stay active.
As part of the Manitoba government's emphasis on physical activity at school, students at École Secondaire Kelvin High School will soon have more space to learn and stay active. Construction will begin on a new gymnasium with approximately 11,700-sq.-ft. of additional space and a new outdoor running track with a rubberized surface. The new gymnasium and track are expected to open in fall 2027, the minister noted.
"This investment at Kelvin is part of our vision to get kids moving every day," said Schmidt. "The new track and gym space will expand opportunities for students at Kelvin while ensuring the school has the space needed to support a growing student population."
"School is about more than what happens in classrooms. It's also about giving young people opportunities to be active, build relationships, and feel connected to their community," said Bruce Sirrell, athletic director, École Secondaire Kelvin High School. "We are grateful to the Manitoba government for investing in this long-awaited gym and track project at Kelvin. These improved facilities will benefit Kelvin students while also welcoming others from across Manitoba who come here to participate, compete and connect through sport."
The investment in a new track and gym at École Secondaire Kelvin High School is part of the Manitoba government's commitment to expanding recreation opportunities for youth across the province, the premier noted. Through the $3-million Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Play Structure Fund, 43 playground projects will be built across Manitoba.
The Manitoba government is also investing $100,000 each for playgrounds at:
- École Mino Pimatisiwin School in Winnipeg,
- École Mazina-Giizhik in Winnipeg,
- École Discovery Trails in Morden,
- Parkhill School in Steinbach, and
- École Passage des Hivernants in Winnipeg.
Other school capital projects include gymnasium and fitness-room additions, along with three classrooms and ancillary space, at Green Valley School in Grunthal; and a new gymnasium, seven regular classrooms, specialized instructional classrooms and a life skills suite at École Sir William Osler in Winnipeg.
In 2026-27, the Manitoba government is investing more than $6.3 million in 123 projects that support recreation opportunities for children and youth. This includes $681,147 for 10 arenas and curling rinks, $1.1 million for 19 community recreation centres, $1.4 million for 25 outdoor recreation spaces and trails, $1.1 million for 15 playgrounds and parks, $104,960 for two pools and aquatic facilities, $136,727 for five cultural and arts initiatives, and $1.8 million for 47 recreation programs.
Additional investments include $180,000 for the Blue Bomber Youth Football Initiative led by the Winnipeg Football Club, $750,000 for upgrades to the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex in Winnipeg, and $40,000 in total -- $20,000 each for the Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy and Winnipeg Aboriginal Sports.
