An excellent and well-considered playground design has been recommended and adopted by the Building Implementation Committee (BIC), consistent with priorities set forth for the vision of the CENTER. A contract is in place and installation will begin soon. The solution will be distinctive and unique as a tool for community outreach.
Community Playground at the CENTER
BIC creates subcommittees to address particular focused tasks. Because the concept of a community playground was an important priority, a subcommittee was assembled, including Greg Lappin as leader, Blaine Price as intern/designer, and representatives from children’s ministries including Pastor Pat Wester. This subcommittee was charged with developing a vision for the playground functions to be achieved, the space plan, issues to be resolved, and recommending a vender solution for the playground and a master plan for the space.
That group then met independently and provided a report to BIC. Along with that report came a master playground plan that was coordinated with the civil engineering site plan and the landscape master plan developed through Patti Gloff and professional consultants at Sargents Gardens.
The playground subcommittee did their study, including discussions of all the assigned items, and issued a report to BIC. The report made it clear that the playground vision had several high priorities. These included 8 functional requirements as well as themes:
-a space that would appeal to the neighborhood and be shared as part of the concept of community welcome
-a safe and inclusive design
-a master plan that would offer activities for at least two age groups as well as open space
-a master plan with several activity areas
-a distinctive and unique design that would attract attention and make a statement about our concern for our guests
-a durable design that would last for years and pay dividends in long-term maintenance savings
The report came with a specific recommendation for a playground concept. Initial funds will provide a first step toward this master plan.
After touring a number of examples and facilities, the subcommittee recommended strongly against inexpensive traditional solutions that would not attract interest from guests, nor retain value. Landscape Structures products were recommended, with a focus on the Evos product line for an initial installation near the main level (east) entrance to the kids education wing.
http://www.playlsi.com/Explore-Products/Product-Lines/Outdoor-Playsystems/Evos/Pages/Evos.aspx
The playground subcommittee report was studied by BIC and approved late in 2010.
The long-term community playground master plan expense is likely to exceed $100,000, consistent with the goals and focus of this amenity for Autumn Ridge and the larger growing neighborhood. The initial allocation from BIC is $50,000 to cover the east playground equipment and installation. The company has been engaged, including discounts for Autumn Ridge.
Coordination with the project civil engineer, excavating company and landscapers is underway.
The CENTER community playground investment in context
BIC takes seriously the responsibility of balancing many competing interests in ministry investments at the CENTER. Areas of highest priority are related to recreation and interior infrastructure (things harder to do later). The exterior owner component of landscaping has been allocated $16,000 over and above the contract costs for soil preparation and grass seeding. The $16,000 will cover the costs for the brick prayer patio and preparation and edging of planting beds. Future congregational gifts will be needed to purchase trees, shrubs, and plants on a pay-as-we-go basis, much as has been the case for most of our landscaping to date. In addition to this $16,000, the initial playground material, site preparation, and installation have been allocated $50,000. The community playground investment is just 1.6% of the total CENTER project cost.
Roles of specialty amenities at the CENTER
BIC has strategically targeted certain areas of the CENTER for particular quality focus, with many other areas being treated as economically as possible to conserve resources. Areas where long-term quality and durability and impact have guided greater investment include the Mondo rubber floor surface in the CENTER recreation space, the audio/video system that will allow the multi-purpose room to function for education, worship, and performance, and the first phase of the exterior playground. These decisions are based on BIC’s past excellent experience with the investment in a quality (rather than inexpensive) theater seating solution in the sanctuary 6 years ago. The selected seats were among the most expensive available, but the investment has proven extremely wise over time. When combined, these investments in A/V system, recreation flooring, and community playground amount to just 7% of the total CENTER project cost.
Even with extremely generous congregational giving, areas such as landscaping and interior finishes will require future development and creative volunteerism.
CENTER construction remains on schedule for completion in July, with the grand opening community celebration planned for the weekend of September 17-18.
