Ground broken on brand new inclusive field, playground at Lafayette Christian School
Published 10:00 am Thursday, October 21, 2021
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A lot is going on behind the LaFayette Christian School these days as staff and Miracle League developers ready a patch of land behind the school for a brand-new, inclusive playground.
After six years of planning and praying, the Miracle League of LaGrange is finally pushing forward on the development of the playground, which will include inclusive and sensory-conscious equipment for those with mental and physical disabilities. The project additionally includes a Miracle League baseball/softball field and a fitness center on the grounds.
“[This] project was a vision for many and is now coming to fruition here with the help and effort with partners in the community,” said Rene Gomez, head of the LCS.
Miracle League of LaGrange held a groundbreaking ceremony early Wednesday to celebrate the playground’s progress with many of LCS’s students, community members and even a few sponsors of the playground.
One such sponsor was Buffalo Rock Company, an independent Pepsi bottler based in Birmingham, Alabama. Buffalo is sponsoring the name of the playground, a $150,000 opportunity.
“Buffalo Rock is all about investing in communities,” said Adam Gibbs, the branch manager of the company. “We’re excited to see how this is going to connect children with children and parents to parents and bring the community together.”
Another sponsor, Hyundai Transys, has already locked in a sponsorship promise for the We-Go-Round, an inclusive merry-go-round that allows both able-bodied and wheel-chair bound individuals the ability to spin together.
“It’s a very active piece … and since we make transmissions for KIA being in motion is kind of in theme with what we do as a business,” said Jason Ransbottom, Hyundai senior manager. “We love this project for the community. It’s a great place where everyone can come together and be social with people who aren’t normally able to participate.”
Those who are interested in sponsorship opportunities for the Miracle League of LaGrange playground can contact miracleleagueoflagrange.com or (706) 881-9423.
An exact completion date is not yet concrete, said David Curry, development director of Miracle League, but construction will start as soon as the ground is cleared.
“As long as we keep getting donations, we might be able to expand the playground,” he said. “We almost got it loaded up with equipment, so we’re at the point where if we want to get anything else we’re going to have to expand a little, which is a good problem to have.”
Visiting the future playground’s groundbreaking were participants of LaGrange’s Exceptional Way, a day program that currently hosts 16 individuals with a variety of physical and mental disabilities.
Jodie Maharrey, the Exceptional Way’s program director, said the playground would be a popular destination for the organization’s participants, especially with the playground being a short drive from the Exceptional Way’s location.
“It’s going to be a place where we can come and spend an afternoon on one of our outings,” she said. “We try to get out into the community as much as possible.”