LEOMINSTER — The Leominster School Committee has approved a $258,552 new playground project for Frances Drake Elementary School, with construction expected to begin this winter.
During the Dec. 1 meeting, Frances Drake’s Principal Andres Vera and Leominster Public Schools Director of Facilities Elliott Nadeau outlined the need for an updated play area, noting that the existing structure is nearly two decades old and designed for younger children.
“I was fortunate enough to be around when that playground got put together,” Vera said, recalling that it was largely built by volunteers in 2007. Later adding, “It’s been almost 20 years since then.” He added that the current equipment is “mostly like a 2 to 5 grade basically ratio” and can only accommodate “one class there out of three or four classes.”
Nadeau said the school partnered with Childscapes, a playground equipment manufacturer, that’s offering a discounted package which includes ADA-accessible components. The new playground will require about a 50-by-60-foot area and will accommodate 113 students. “Going with this package, I think we saved about $70,000,” Nadeau said.
Nadeau told the committee the playground is going to cost $258,552. He added that while “it sounds like a lot, it’s actually less than the playgrounds we have put in [before] because those were customized.” Nadeau added that the project cost includes 360 linear feet of fencing with two gates to enclose the entire playground. “That was a large cost of $23,250,” Nadeau said, adding that DPW assistance with excavation will reduce expenses.
Nadeau told the committee the vendor is prepared to move quickly: “They’re actually ready to start, and they will work on it in the wintertime.” Nadeau added that Childscapes works on a strict timeline, and in order to hold the package, they need to give the vendor something in writing by Dec. 15.
Following discussion, committee member Melissa Bible made a motion “to approve the project with $150k coming from the general fund and the remainder at approximately $108,000 coming from school choice.” The committee voted unanimously in favor.
