McAuliffe Heights playground to be removed

Altoona Area School Board OKs contracting for replacement

The Altoona Area School Board on Monday approved contracting with Benton's Builders to remove the existing playground and install footers for a new playground at McAuliffe Heights Program at Irving Elementary.

The playground unit will be purchased from MRC Recreation, with the total cost of the unit and construction not to exceed $53,000. The cost will be paid from the Parent Teacher Association and principal account.

Superintendent Brad Hatch commended McAuliffe Heights Principal Raisa Gray for leading a fundraising initiative for the unit.

"She's done a phenomenal job of rallying the troops to raise money and to get people involved," Hatch said, adding officials hope to break ground soon and have the new playground ready for the spring.

The board also approved the purchase and installation for two sets of bleachers at Roosevelt Field. The total cost is not to exceed $65,000, which will be paid from the capital reserve fund.

Hatch said the bleachers will expand seating and student capacity to almost 1,000 seats.

The field is used for boys and girls soccer, all levels of football and as a recreation and practice facility for community teams.