Updates to The Commons’ indoor James A. Henderson Playground are still underway, but the completion date has been pushed back.
While the city had previously hoped to finish the project in March, late spring may be the new finish line, Commons officials said.
There have been some delays in acquiring materials and shipping timelines due to the recent winter weather, Commons manager Shanda Sasse said. The pandemic has also had some effect on these logistics.
However, The Commons expected there to be some changes during the project and has worked to keep up "forward motion," she said.
“We, of course, want to open as soon as we are able to," she said. "We miss our guests. We miss hearing the sound and the excitement of the kids headed down the hall, towards the playground. So we’re really looking forward to that. It looks like the project probably will be complete in late spring."
Sasse said that PLAYTIME LLC, the main contractor, has had some of its people on-site, with a subcontractor working on elements that include millwork and flooring. Work on the flooring is continuing now, she said.
"It’s the pour-in-place flooring, which has to be mixed on-site," she said. "And then they bring it inside, and they put it in place. And then there’s a sealant that will be applied to that. And then following that is the curing process, which takes about two weeks."
Once the flooring installation is complete, workers expect to receive a few more deliveries of new equipment that will be added to the playground.
While there have been some very minor challenges with the project, PLAYTIME has been "beyond professional and very creative" in helping solve them, Sasse said.
"If there was a roadblock, they’ve helped us find a solution that is going to work really well," she said. "… It’s been a really great working relationship with PLAYTIME and all of our partners.”
Sasse said that The Commons will be following state and county COVID-19 guidelines as it makes a decision about when to re-open. At present, the facility is largely closed to the public, with the exception of rental events.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Project timeline” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Spring 2020: The playground project met its fundraising goal, Sasse said.
July 2020: The city released a request for proposals for work on the project.
September 2020: The city selects PLAYTIME LLC as the main contractor for the project. Also, Luckey LLC completed maintenance work on the Luckey Climber during September. Sasse said this included replacing vinyl tread on platforms, as well as removing about six miles’ worth of stainless steel cabling and replacing it with brand new cabling.
November 2020: The Common’s contract with PLAYTIME is finalized.
December 2020: PLAYTIME began demolition work on-site.
January: Millwork took place on-site and fabrication took place off-site.
February: Electrical and lighting work begins.
March: A subcontractor under PLAYTIME is working on flooring for the project.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About the project” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
According to the project description, the planned repairs and updates to the James A. Henderson Playground include:
- Repairing and resurfacing the “pour and play surface"
- Replacing the Luckey Climber cable coating
- Fixing broken equipment on the toddler area and music wall
- Increasing lighting to allow play for evenings
- Redesigning the current lighting system to help with future maintenance
- Removing barrier walls so parents can watch their children more easily
- Purchasing new playground technologies that will make cleaning easier
- Making designated, safe play areas for infants and toddlers
- Creating inclusive play opportunities will give every child with any ability the opportunity to explore the playground and play together without barriers
- Adding sensory play to help the development of language skills, motor skills, and problem-solving skills
Not all of the work on the playground is contracted to PLAYTIME; lighting work and Luckey Climber repairs were done by other companies.
The city’s “only free indoor playground” at The Commons typically saw more than 100,000 visitors annually, prior to closing amid the pandemic.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”New hours” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
In January, The Commons Board approved changing the playground’s hours of operation. Sasse said that once The Commons reopens, the hours for play will be as follows:
- Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
