Premier Greg Selinger (file photo)

Premier Greg Selinger was in Brandon on Thursday to announce plans for an expansion to a school gymnasium.

The Premier said Students at Brandon's Green Acres School will soon benefit from newly expanded gymnasium space to support improved physical education and sport programming.

"We are investing throughout the province to create high-quality learning spaces in our schools so that students can succeed," said Premier Selinger. "This gymnasium expansion will encourage students to get active and participate in a variety of sports and physical education programs."

Green Acres is a kindergarten to Grade 8 school in the Brandon School Division. The existing 2,115-sq.-ft. gymnasium will be expanded by 4,000 sq. ft., and new change rooms, space for storage, a staff office, washrooms and a kitchenette will be added for a total expansion of 6,400 sq. ft.

"We know gymnasiums are more than a place to exercise," said Premier Selinger. "They bring people of all ages together for a variety of activities, which helps build lasting friendships and safer, healthier communities."

"When combined with current building projects at George Fitton, Waverly Park and Meadows schools, the newly expanded gym at Green Acres School will help to moderate some of the learning space constraints we face due to rapidly growing enrollment," said Mark Sefton, board chair, Brandon School Division. "The board of trustees looks forward to continuing to work with the Manitoba government for the benefit of our students."

The government is currently building and renovating 48 new classrooms throughout the province.