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Got It Made In The Shade

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

cpastor@tampatrib.com

Published: October 8, 2008

WESTCHASE - Florida's climate leaves no question about why schools would like covers over their playgrounds.

It's hot. It's sunny. And a state requirement for 30 minutes of daily physical activity means elementary children inevitably wind up outside. Their skin can burn or they can overheat in that short amount of time.

"We watch the kids out here, and even in the 30 minutes, there's beads of sweat," said Tracy Urso, Westchase Elementary Parent-Teacher Association president.

Hillsborough County does not build its elementary schools with gymnasiums. The district will match up to $50,000 a school raises for some projects, including building covered playcourts. But some of the structures cost more than $150,000, which pushes schools to find creative solutions for raising money.

Schools are turning to contests, grants and county partnerships, in addition to silent auctions and other fundraisers.
Deer Park Elementary won $10,000 in a Westfield Citrus Park contest, "Cash 4 Class," where mall shoppers earn points for spending and assign those points to a school they choose. In its fourth year, the contest ended Sept. 30, and winners will be announced next week.

Last year, Deer Park came in first place and allocated its money toward a covered playcourt.

Westchase Elementary came in second place and spent its $5,000 winnings on canopies for two playgrounds and a picnic area. The PTA supplemented the rest of the $64,000 price tag with more traditional fundraisers.

The canopies, which went up at the start of the school year, can be put away if a hurricane hits. They aren't as elaborate as the more costly pavilions built over basketball courts, but they provide shade and block most ultraviolet rays and offer dry outdoor activities in a light rain, said principal Scott Weaver.

Westchase also has a permanent structure over its main playground, a pricier option than the canopies because they can include fans, lighting and sound systems.

Essrig Elementary spent two years raising $80,000 to put toward a permanent cover, estimated to cost $130,000. The district's matching funds and an $8,000 grant helped make up the difference.

Essrig was one of 37 schools nationally to get a "shade structure" grant from the American Academy of Dermatology. A dermatologist - Neil Alan Fenske of the University of South Florida - wrote a letter for Essrig supporting its grant application, one of the award requirements.

Other schools are getting help from the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation department. The county has partnered with sites where it offers after-school programs. Students use the structures during the day, and the county programs use them after hours.

"It protects the kids from the weather - rain and sun," said John Brill, parks department spokesman. "It's also great because it expands whatever building space we have."

Four years ago, the county contributed $20,000 toward a cover at Carrollwood Elementary. Now it is working with the district on two recreation buildings for school and day-camp use. The county agreed last spring to reimburse the district up to $1 million for the construction.

The buildings connect to the covered pavilion with a covered walkway and include restrooms so children do not have to go into the elementary during physical education class or after-school programs.

The county also is involved in a $157,000 project to build a covered playcourt at Town and Country Elementary and has been talking to Citrus Park Elementary leaders about a pavilion or recreation building, Brill said.

Cathy Valdes, the district's chief facilities officer, said the district was "very appreciative" about the county's willingness to work with the district. Brill said the cooperation helps meet school and county needs.

"It's a win-win for both of us," he said.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503.

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