Spencer school, village could get large playground grants

More than $200,000 in grant funding could be headed to Spencer to upgrade school and village park playground equipment, but both entities will first have to commit matching funds to get it. Under a project spearheaded by Spencer Youth Recreations Inc., a local non-profit group that works to improve athletic opportunities in the community, large new equipment structures could be installed next summer on the school grounds and in a village park.

Jordan Buss of SYR said a grant from GameTime Cares has been approved for Spencer, at a total amount of $206,186. Of that total, $134,066 would go toward a new playground complex on the main playground at the south end of the school, and $72,120 would go toward erection of a new equipment piece in the Village Park near the municipal building. SYR will contribute an initial $70,000 toward the project, while the school district and village would have to commit to covering their share. SYR will also be conducting a capital campaign to cover the entire project cost, which is estimated at $725,000 for both the school and village components.

No decision has been made yet by either the school or village, but the deadline for securing the grant is Nov. 1. The Board of Education will meet on Oct. 19 to consider the project, and District Administrator Mike Endreas said he will recommend its approval.

Endreas said he will ask the Board to approve $100,000 toward the project, to cover the school’s share of the equipment price as well as related costs such as in- stallation and for placement of a molded rubber base material over the playground surface. The Board may also consider an additional $50,000 estimate for addressing drainage problems that have plagued the playground area for years.

“It’s a quagmire at times,” Endreas said. “It makes sense to do it right, right away.”

The school playground equipment would be a “Lunar Landing” structure that would include nine slides, numerous climbing apparatuses, and learning panels. The village park piece would have six slides, climbing apparatuses, and learning panels.

Spencer Village Administrator Paul Hensch said the Village Board will make a decision on including money in its next budget at its meeting on Oct. 10. The village’s share would be $80,000 this year and $20,000 next year, Hensch said.

SYR, which is funded mainly through an annual golf outing, trap shoot and alumni basketball/volleyball tournament, decided to take on the local playground needs, although it had a longer timeframe in mind. News of the grant award came two weeks ago, with an imminent deadline .

“We were thinking three to five years, but once we got the grant, it accelerated to ordering equipment by Nov. 1,” Buss said.

Buss noted that both entities do not have to commit to the grant. If the school does but the village does not, the school will still get its share of the grant. The grant program is an annual one, so an application could be submitted again if the village wants to try in the future. The total estimate for the school playground only is $515,000.

Endreas said another possible option would be for the school to give its old playground equipment to the village for use in a park. The school equipment is about 20 years old, although some of it has been replaced recently. The new equipment would include pieces that are accessible for children with disabilities. The rubberized surface would also make it possible for use by children in wheelchairs.

The playground project is the latest effort by SYR to improve opportunities for kids in the community. Since 2005, SYR has contributed more than $212,000 to more than 100 projects and causes. Its work started with an initiative to build a new concession stand with running water at Ted Fritsch Field. The group also helped build a new concession stand at the school softball field and contributes to programs such as the post-prom party, Jump Rope for Heart, the school color run, and others.

Buss said the playground equipment must be ordered by Nov. 1 to qualify for the grant, and delivery would be in February. The equipment would be stored until the summer months and installed then.

Buss said the project will need “significant financial or in-kind assistance from families, business and organizations,” even with the grant funds.

Game Time is a playground manufacturer from Alabama and awards grants annually for purchase of its equipment.

The ‘Lunar Landing’ playground structure will be installed at the Spencer school if the Spencer Youth Recreations plan moves forward.