stallation and for placement of ….
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.
