Students in the eight Fort Knox Community Schools will benefit from new playground equipment.
Tailored to the ages of the students at each school, the equipment could include -- among numerous items -- swings, slides, parallel bars, see saws, and benches.
The $1.76 million project is funded by DoDEA’s Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools. Knox schools awarded the construction contract to Lakeshore Engineering Services, Inc. All new equipment meets standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Lakeshore's President and CEO said he and the company's Executive Management Team “are committed to helping improve the quality of life in local communities by providing excellent service and the very best finished product.” He emphasized the importance of working with local citizens to design projects that meet their specific needs. "This project is important to us because it provides essential upgrades which improve the quality and safety in the areas where children meet to play."
Work began Oct. 30 at playgrounds serving Pierce Elementary School, Fort Knox High School, and Scott Middle School.
At each site, the construction process will be the same, according to the Lakeshore Group Project Manager. The playground will be fenced or barricaded, sidewalks will be installed, old equipment will be removed, new equipment will be put in place, a concrete base, then a rubber surface will be poured, and grass seed will be sown and covered by straw.
Here is the construction start schedule for the other schools:
Nov. 30 – Van Voorhis Elementary
Jan. 4 – Walker Intermediate
Jan. 18 – Mudge Elementary
Feb. 15 – Macdonald Intermediate
Mar. 1 – Kingsolver Elementary
Depending on the site, construction time will range from four to eight weeks. “All start dates and scheduled times are weather dependent,” the project manager said. “When the temperature drops below 40 degrees or the ground is wet, we can’t pour concrete or rubber.”
Weather permitting, he estimated that the playground equipment project would be completed by March 29.
