Playground Enhancement Project

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In 2019 prior to the pandemic, the HMSPA had identified that fundraising efforts over the previous several years resulted in surplus funds. At this time, a committee was formed to engage parents on how they would like to invest these funds. A survey was conducted in 2019 which identified that parents were interested in investing these funds in a music program or a greenhouse project. The pandemic interrupted the pursuit of development and implementation of these interests. 

After the full return to school post-pandemic and as HMSPA activities resumed, issues were identified with the existing school playground, which resulted in preventative maintenance and several play structures were removed due to wear, and to address safety and regulatory standards. 

Given the initial survey was conducted in 2019 and since that time, the need for playground enhancements was identified, a follow-up survey was conducted in December 2022, which asked parents to vote on where they would like to invest these surplus funds and focus future fundraising efforts. With a total of 95 responses, the results of the survey favoured investing the surplus funds into the playground enhancement project (45%), compared to 42% for a music program and 13% for a greenhouse.

With this direction, starting last year, the HMSPA Executive Committee has worked closely with the school administration to plan and develop improvements to the school playground. This project includes upgrading the outdoor school play area with fresh new equipment that fits within the natural playground environment and meets standards required for ongoing safety and regulatory inspections of the school. The purpose of the playground upgrade is for the benefit of children at all levels of our school, with consideration for Casa, Elementary and AP levels.

To move the project forward and provide an improved playground for our children, the HMSPA invested $5,000 of the surplus funds from previous years for the Phase 1 of the playground enhancement project, which includes a new clubhouse, a huge outdoor chalkboard and music thunder drums. The total cost of the project including installation was approximately $16,000; therefore, the school contributed $11,000 to complete Phase 1. 

In Fall 2023, the new clubhouse was built, as well as the installation of the outdoor chalkboard and the music thunder drums.

The HMSPA Executive Team and school administration have planned Phase 2 of the Playground Enhancement Project, of which $10,000 of the HMSPA fundraising efforts for the 2023/24 school year will be contributed. Phase 2 will include an interactive climbing dome and monkey bars. The cost of Phase 2 is estimated at $10,000, plus taxes & installation fees; therefore, the school has committed to funding the remainder of the costs for this phase (installation fees to be finalized). We are targeting installation to be completed in Fall 2024.

Following Phase 2, the HMSPA Executive Team and school administration will continue to work together on the Playground Enhancement Project in a staged approach, supported by HMSPA fundraising efforts throughout the school year.