Surrounded by students and area businesspeople, Clearview Principal Sheri Rutar cut the ribbon during the inaugural ceremony for the school’s new playground equipment Wednesday.
The school was informed their old playground equipment no longer met code by District 742’s Coordinator of Health and Safety, Michael Mahacek. A proposal was made for new equipment, with Clearview’s PTA funding $10,000 and District 742 funding the remainder.
In order to raise money for the new playground, the PTA has been holding E.A.T. (Equipment Attained Together) restaurant nights. Clearview earns a percentage of the food sales during the events, which are held at a different area restaurant each month.
October’s featured restaurant was the Brick Yard Bar & Grill in Clear Lake. Other restaurants involved in the fundraiser include Clearwater Travel Plaza, Chipotle on University Ave. in St. Cloud, Culver’s on Hwy. 10 in St. Cloud, Panera Bread in St. Cloud, Pizza Ranch in St. Cloud and The Kettle in Clearwater.
The new handicap-accessible playground equipment was installed in May; next summer the mulch will be replaced with rubber flooring. Along with the main set that includes climbing equipment and slides, it features swings and a number of stand-alone pieces.
