2008 Woodie Awards
Project shows how much a decent learning environment is worth to administration
Kathy Bray
Issue date:
10/24/07
Section:
Campus
- Page 1 of 1
What is education worth? Can
you put a price tag on knowledge?
Olympic College boldly states
that early education is worth
$225,000 - the cost of the new Child
Development and Family Center
playground.
According to Barbara Martin, vice
president of administrative services,
the price for the playground was
factored into the demolition of the
Math/Science Building, which was
funded by the state's capital budget.
"I hope everyone remembers that
the money that was used to relocate
the childcare playground is not
money that could have been used
for discounted textbooks or reduced
tuition," said.
"This was state capital money that could
only be used for construction purposes."
Lockwood said in order to have a licensed
childcare program the college must have a
playground.
General Administration in Olympia
was in charge of gathering bids based off
of the plans submitted by S.M. Stemper
Architects. General Mechanical, Inc. had the
lowest bid.
"I was looking at a $500,000 price tag so
to me, $225,000 was a big relief," Martin
said in reference to the cost to excavate and
build on Barner Property, the third potential
site for the new playground.
When asked what he would say to
those opposing the cost of the playground,
Lockwood asks, "Where do you draw the
line on safety?"
Lockwood said he agrees Vitriturf is
expensive, but it had to be used to get the
playground licensed.
"Pea gravel, sand and bark would have
been cheaper but would not have been
wheelchair accessible," Lockwood said. "I
am proud that the college is unwilling to
take chances with the safety of any student's
child."
"Rubber matting, fencing, lighting was
costly but we can't do without it," he said.
According to Lockwood, the space for
the playground was determined by licensing
regulations. Since the playground is
shared with OC Head Start either more
space was needed or they would need two
playgrounds.
"We tried going less but it is expensive
moving dirt and power is expensive,"
Martin said. "We decided to build it to
code."
"Furnishings on the playground are
pretty comparable to every playground,"
Lockwood said. "The most modest of structures
was chosen."
Aside from the sticker price, many are
shocked to hear that this playground may
only have a two-year shelf life.
Plans will soon be submitted to the legislature
to rebuild the CDFC in the 2009-2011
biennium. Martin said the earliest a rebuild
would occur is two years away.
"There are other potential sites, but it is
our goal to keep the daycare center where
it is," Martin said. "If we have to move the
daycare center a lot of the items in it are
reusable."
When asked if she knew the playground
could be temporary, Martin said, "Yes. We
knew it was a possibility. If we were going
to continue having childcare, (they) needed
a playground."
you put a price tag on knowledge?
Olympic College boldly states
that early education is worth
$225,000 - the cost of the new Child
Development and Family Center
playground.
According to Barbara Martin, vice
president of administrative services,
the price for the playground was
factored into the demolition of the
Math/Science Building, which was
funded by the state's capital budget.
"I hope everyone remembers that
the money that was used to relocate
the childcare playground is not
money that could have been used
for discounted textbooks or reduced
tuition," said.
"This was state capital money that could
only be used for construction purposes."
Lockwood said in order to have a licensed
childcare program the college must have a
playground.
General Administration in Olympia
was in charge of gathering bids based off
of the plans submitted by S.M. Stemper
Architects. General Mechanical, Inc. had the
lowest bid.
"I was looking at a $500,000 price tag so
to me, $225,000 was a big relief," Martin
said in reference to the cost to excavate and
build on Barner Property, the third potential
site for the new playground.
When asked what he would say to
those opposing the cost of the playground,
Lockwood asks, "Where do you draw the
line on safety?"
Lockwood said he agrees Vitriturf is
expensive, but it had to be used to get the
playground licensed.
"Pea gravel, sand and bark would have
been cheaper but would not have been
wheelchair accessible," Lockwood said. "I
am proud that the college is unwilling to
take chances with the safety of any student's
child."
"Rubber matting, fencing, lighting was
costly but we can't do without it," he said.
According to Lockwood, the space for
the playground was determined by licensing
regulations. Since the playground is
shared with OC Head Start either more
space was needed or they would need two
playgrounds.
"We tried going less but it is expensive
moving dirt and power is expensive,"
Martin said. "We decided to build it to
code."
"Furnishings on the playground are
pretty comparable to every playground,"
Lockwood said. "The most modest of structures
was chosen."
Aside from the sticker price, many are
shocked to hear that this playground may
only have a two-year shelf life.
Plans will soon be submitted to the legislature
to rebuild the CDFC in the 2009-2011
biennium. Martin said the earliest a rebuild
would occur is two years away.
"There are other potential sites, but it is
our goal to keep the daycare center where
it is," Martin said. "If we have to move the
daycare center a lot of the items in it are
reusable."
When asked if she knew the playground
could be temporary, Martin said, "Yes. We
knew it was a possibility. If we were going
to continue having childcare, (they) needed
a playground."
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