Construction Begins On Improvements To Jeff West Elementary Playground

MERIDEN- Construction is underway for major improvements to the Jeff West Elementary School playground, including new play structures and surfaces, sport courts and fields, and increased accessibility for children with special needs.

The project is expected to be complete in six weeks. The USD 340 Board of Education authorized $230,000 from its capital outlay fund to pay for materials and equipment. Mammoth Sports Construction is completing construction work valued at $1.36 million for a contract price of $1. The project is part of a master plan for improvements that will keep the district one of the top in the state.

“This project is going to be very beneficial, not only to our students, but to the entire community,” said USD 340 Superintendent Pat Happer. “The improvements are going to increase usability of the space for everyone. Our students, youth athletic teams, and the entire community will benefit from this project.”

When completed, the playground will feature new climbing structures and swings with padded turf in the fall zones, a standard for modern playscapes. There will be a 30 by 70 yard regulation turf flag football field, a full-size turf baseball and soccer field combination, and four basketball goals on a rubberized surface.

Upgrades also include a new walking trail loop, a resurfaced concrete pad for games like foursquare, and shade structures to relax under. The new equipment will be easier for students with special needs to utilize.

“We are thrilled to be able to serve our community by doing what we’re good at—creating spaces for sports, play, and outdoor activities,” said Jake Farrant, President of Mammoth Sports Construction. “We are committed to improving the future for our schools and neighbors through ideas and projects that benefit our community’s quality of life.”

The Kindergarten playground will also receive upgrades, including new turf, new swings, new play structures, and a new basketball surface. A play structure installed at that location seven years ago will remain, as will its basketball goals.

Superintendent Happer said much of the equipment at the elementary school has been around for as long as his 31 year tenure with the district.

“It was time. A lot of the equipment is starting to show some age,” Happer said. “The play space gets used all the time, both during school and in the evenings, and now it will be available to use even if it's been rainy. There won’t be students and athletes leaving with gravel in their shoes. There won’t be issues with mud or standing water.”

During construction, teachers will be able to take classes to the Jeff West football fields for recess on warm days. On cold days, schedule adjustments are being made for indoor gym time when available

Mammoth and the district will work with the city of Meriden on parking surfaces. Fencing will be removed during construction and reinstalled once completed.