Sports ovals and grounds at 16 schools to be reticulated

9/12/97

Sports ovals and grounds at 16 schools around Western Australia have been included in this year's $1.2 million reticulation and ground development program through the Education Department.

Education Minister Colin Barnett said today work would start before mid-1998.

The following schools would be included in the initiative: Belridge, Eastern Goldfields and Katanning senior high schools; Halls Creek, Dalwallinu and Bruce Rock district high schools; and East Manjimup, Yealering, Glen Forrest, Millen, Mt Hawthorn and Cooinda primary schools.

Work under way at Wanneroo, Sawyers Valley, Ongerup and Adam Road primary schools will also receive further funds this year for completion.

Mr Barnett said in some cases the schools would be provided with cultivated ovals or play areas complete with automatic reticulation systems, while other schools would have bigger playing areas developed as part of the program.

"For instance, at Katanning Senior High School, the ovals are watered from dams adjacent to the school via a manual watering system," he said.

"In summer, when the dams run dry, the grass dies off.

"Under the program, a pipeline from the shire's reclaimed effluent water treatment ponds will be built to pump into the school's dams during winter and apply to the school's ovals with an automatic reticulation system during summer.

"At Glen Forrest Primary School, a severe water logging problem prevents students from using the oval in winter. Subterranean drainage will now be installed throughout the oval to remove the excess water, making the area free draining and available for students to use all year round."

Mr Barnett said WA was fortunate to have ideal weather for outdoor sports throughout a majority of the year and that schools had to be well-equipped to take advantage of this.

"Sport and physical activity are a part of most student's everyday school lives and sporting grounds at schools are an important part of this," the Minister said.

"It is essential to the development of fit and healthy children, who are not only happier and more productive, but learn better in the classroom."

Mr Barnett said the Government had also committed $9.9 million over the next four years towards a program which would see automatic irrigation systems installed at 151 schools around the State.

Media contacts: Justine Whittome, Minister's office (08) 9222 9699

John Altham, Education Department of WA (08) 9264 4667