DERBY – An effort to raise money for a new playground at Bradley School got a nice boost from one of Derby’s newest businesses.
Splash Car Wash, which opened Dec. 17 at 540 New Haven Rd., donated proceeds from its grand opening weekend to the playground project.
Gina Colley, Splash’s marketing director, paid a visit to the elementary school Friday (Jan. 26) to present a giant cardboard check, totaling $4,000.
Bradley School parents Eric and Heather Lazowski, who are spearheading the project, gathered in the school gym along with Principal Mario Ciccarini, Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway, School Business Manager Robert Trainor and Bradley’s kindergarten through fifth graders for the event.
“I was floored when Gina (from Splash) told us how much the check was for, I couldn’t believe it,” said Eric Lazowski. “We are so grateful and appreciative.”
Lazowski said just over $12,000 has been raised so far. Click here to donate.
The initial fundraising goal was about $100,000. However, Lazowski said after speaking with some playground equipment suppliers and a general contractor who visited the site, the all-in cost may be closer to $200,000, Lazowski said.
Lazowski said more fundraisers in partnership with the Bradley School PTA are being planned, including an all-alumni student art show. He also said members of the playground committee are looking into various grants and other funding sources to help meet the goal.
Lazowski also hopes to meet with Derby Mayor Joe DiMartino to see if the city can pitch in.. Conway said last fall when Lazowski launched the effort, he would look into whether some federal American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA funds, can be used to help offset costs.
When addressing the students in the gym Friday, Lazowski recalled how as a kindergartner at Bradley, he remembered playing on the very same playground.
“The playground was here when I was a student here about 30 years ago,” Lazowski said. “It’s time for a change. We’re working very hard to get you a new playground so you can come and play after school, during the summer and during your recess. It’s a steep mountain to climb but we’re working towards it. It just makes us happy to see all the smiles on your faces when you hear about getting a new playground.”
Ciccarini asked the students if they liked the existing playground and was greeted with some pretty loud cheers. But when he asked them if they thought the playground could be better, the students let out an uproarious cheer that resounded throughout the gym.
Fourth graders Landon Churchill, 9, Paige Lazowski, 9 and Taliyah Simmons, 9, said a new playground would be great.
“The playground we have now is kind of boring, especially since I’ve already done everything there is to do on it,” said Landon. “I’d like to see more swings and maybe a rock wall.”
Paige said she’d like to see the existing zip line replaced.
“The big disappointment is the zip line is all rusty and really doesn’t work, so I specifically requested a new zipline be built,” said Paige, who’s a fan of ziplining at her family’s favorite camping spot in Maine.
Taliyah said she doesn’t like how a lot of the equipment has rust on it, and would be happy to see new swings, slides and other “fun things” to play on, rust-free.
The existing playground is still being used daily by students, but Lazowski said some of the equipment has been removed for safety reasons. He said the playground is about half the size it was when it was first built in the early 1990s.
Lazowski plans to use his graphic design background to help in the design of the new playground, which will also include an ADA compliant swing for disabled children. Lazowski ideally said he’d love to see a new playground built in the next year or two.
More information about how to make a donation to the playground, upcoming fundraisers and project updates can be found on Facebook.
