The $575,000 plan, put forward by playground equipment supplier Kompan, Inc., of Austin, Texas, would allow for installation in time for the start of the upcoming school year. A playground for the elementary school’s special needs students may not be ready for the first day, however, as the district weighs whether it can include a wheelchair-accessible swing amid cost challenges.

To meet the company’s 12-week lead time and ensure the playground is installed on schedule, the proposal is set for a vote at the school board’s March 17 meeting.

BASD Director of Fiscal Affairs Ken Bean noted that, while the school’s primary playground is on track, plans for the dedicated special needs playground remain uncertain.

“The special needs one, I’m not sure if we’ll be able to pull that off or not. It depends on how quickly they can get everything back to me and we get decisions made,” Bean told the board.

PHOTO PROVIDED Mockups by Kompan, Inc. show proposed designs for the new Bellefonte Elementary School playgrounds.

Director of Physical Plant Thomas Lannen met with several firms to collect estimates and hear proposals, and the district’s principals reviewed the plan before it was brought forward for consideration.

Kompan, which says it designs, manufactures and installs more than 1,000 playground and fitness sites each month across 90 countries, submitted the district’s most attractive bid, with a subtotal over $762,000. After a substantial $187,000 project discount, the district would pay a total of $575,286.68.

The major costs quoted by Kompan include roughly $111,000 for equipment installation and about $442,000 for the supply and installation of the poured-in-place surfacing and subbase.

The playground, which was not included in the new elementary school’s $55 million budget, is an additional expense for the district.

The poured-in-place rubberized playground surfacing, would be similar to that of nearby Bernel Road Park, which Board Member Donna Smith said is a popular choice for local families.

PHOTO PROVIDED This mockup of the dedicated special needs playground, created by Kompan, features an alternative accessible swing, which is a cost-conscious option compared to the $100,000 wheelchair-accessible swing requested by staff.

“I think Bernel Park is specifically popular because of that surface,” Smith said. “I’m thinking it’s been there for a good five years, and it looks like it’s still in good shape.”

Bean said the district chose the rubberized surface as an alternative to mulch, which requires frequent replacement, can be messy and retains moisture, limiting its use.

“While the new flooring isn’t cheap, it’s not as pricey as I worried it would be,” he said, noting it has a lifespan of about 12 to 15 years and comes with a limited warranty.

Other mulch-based quotes ranged from the high $300,000s to over $400,000, which Bean said made the rubberized surface the most cost-effective option due to its lower maintenance needs.

Superintendent Roy Rakszawski added that a large portion of the floor’s cost comes from installing the subsurface, so future replacements won’t be nearly as expensive as the initial installation. It was also noted that cracks and potholes can be repaired, further extending its lifespan.

“We’ll save on maintenance, time, effort, cost, and I believe we’ll get much, much more use out of it even for this price,” Bean said.

The design plans shown to the board include a “trio climber” to replace a proposed pyramid structure that was removed over safety concerns. The playground will also feature swings, general play space and basketball hoops are planned elsewhere on the grounds. A four-foot-high fence around the perimeter is already installed.

Like the district’s other playgrounds, it will remain open for public use outside of school hours.

While the school’s main playground has largely been planned, the special needs student’s dedicated playground, which will be located just outside their classrooms, remains in development. District staff, including Director of Special Education Dr. Jennifer Butterworth and Assistant Director of Special Education Jamie Smith, are helping select its inclusive equipment.

Existing plans include an inclusive, universal carousel accessible to children of all abilities, with space for caregivers or teachers to sit or stand with students; multiple play panels with movable parts, sensory stimulation, cooperative play and simple educational features; and an inclusive seesaw.

The playground surface is four inches of concrete. Kompan noted that its standard recommendation for anchoring equipment is 5.5 inches to withstand the weight and forces of heavy playground structures. Some smaller equipment may be adapted for the existing slab, but if not, additional work such as cutting into the concrete and installing inground footings could be required. Coordination with the district and designers will also be needed to account for the underdrainage system.

The biggest obstacle at present is a wheelchair-accessible swing requested by staff, which would cost over $100,000.

“When it’s not in use, I’m told it has to be locked up,” Bean said. “It can’t be available just for anybody to go and use it.”

School Board President Jon Guizar suggested that, because of the cost, the district explore more inclusive alternatives. The idea was also floated to have community groups sponsor the playground through fundraising or to use special education funds set aside for emergencies, though a portion will be needed for accessible vans to accommodate two incoming wheelchair-bound students.

How to proceed with the special needs playground will be addressed at a future meeting.

“I feel confident in the recommendation,” Superintendent Rakszawski said. “It’s aesthetically pleasing, very functional, hopefully doable.”