School Committee Moves Forward with Playground

The School Committee is requesting $141,200 in capital improvement from the town for a new playground on the Arthur T. Cummings School grounds. After many discussions involving safety, budget, and timing, the committee narrowed it down to two leaders in playground design, ultimately deciding on Utiplay Parks and Playground, for the project. The commercial recreation equipment company offered the committee the most return for the investment and the project will consist of a full redesign of the playground to include custom play equipment, swings, poured-in-place rubber that allows for the “bounceability” factor ensuring safety when a child falls. The cost will include removal and disposal of existing equipment, turf and pads.

“We have a great relationship to Ultiplay Parks and Playground and we know that they are one of the best in the business,” said School Committee Chair Valentino Capobianco. “And I’d love to push to get this done this summer before the school year.”

While the design includes all the standard cutting-edge playground equipment, it will be up for debate and discussion throughout the process, and the ATC principals will have an opportunity to tweak the arrangement as they see necessary.

“We will be allowed to change the design as we see fit, as long as we stay within the parameter of the cost,” said Superintendent of Schools Lisa Howard.

In other news:

The Winthrop Middle School Drama Society will be performing, “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” on April 5, and 6, at 7 p.m. and April 7 at 2 p.m. in the Neil Shapiro Center for Performing Arts. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $5 for students/seniors and can be purchased at the door.

The third Annual Viking Color Run is on April 28, at Deer Island. Check-in time is at 9 a.m. The one-mile fun run starts at 10 a.m. and the competitive race starts at 10:30 a.m.. Register online at secure.getactivefundraising.com. Join WINARC for their annual Walk, Run, and Roll fundraiser