| Joe and Sophia Goforth Playground... |
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February 27 to March 1 the National Playground Contractors Association International (NPCAI) will conduct the 2013 Winter Playground Construction School at the Cleveland Community College LeGrand Center. Current Playground Professionals along with those new to the Playground Industry from across the country are scheduled to be part of the three day school under the direction of Roger Davis, current Chair of the Playground Construction School, past NPCAI Chair and owner of Playground Safety Services.
Roger explained that NPCAI offers this school twice a year in various locations around the United States. This is the second time the school has been presented in North Carolina, the last one being in Charlotte in 2008. Students will learn the “Best Practices” of SAFE Playground Construction with Sessions on playground design using national standards for safety, aesthetics and the environment, working with general contractors, controlling cost, and long term maintenance. The sessions are a combination of presentations and hands on exercises taught by Instructors who are considered to be experts in the Field of Playground Construction explained Davis, who was also involved in the very first school in Orlando, FL in 2005.
In this School, the PCS students are able to be part of an ACTUAL Playground Build which is why moving the school from Charlotte to Shelby made sense. By utilizing the resources that Shelby and Cleveland County have to offer, the NPCAI Board supported Roger on his idea that a “Home Town” School would enable us to do more. On the second day of class, the students will be at the Boys & Girls Club learning how to layout the playground, evaluate slope of the land for drainage, and ensure ease of access for future work on the playground. Finally, on the third day of the school the students will help prepare the site for the community build and take a final exam to receive their National Certificate.
“When we got approval to offer the school in Shelby, I wanted to add a community build component to the class. This is where the students will layout an actual playground that will be built by the PCS Students and Community Volunteers.” Roger approached the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland County to be the partner in the community build portion of the class.
“We feel truly blessed to have this collaborative effort happen March 1 and 2 at the Club.” shared Jack Weller, Boys & Girls Club Board President. The playground will feature four slides, a climbing wall, a ring ladder, and is handicap accessible. In addition it will have 8 swings, four tetherball courts and four outdoor tables that will be used as an outdoor classroom during the Jack Schweppe Summer Day Camp.
The community has come forward to support the project
financially under the direction of Susan Goforth Porter, niece of Joe and Sophia Goforth. Through her efforts and those of a group of community volunteers they are on track to meet the $32,000 cost of the playground. Goforth shared at a recent meeting of the Shelby Kiwanis Club, “Uncle Joe and Aunt Sophia accepted each of their nieces and nephews with unconditional love. Building this tribute to them is a way that we may provide other children an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and have fun.”
Jack Weller has recruited several organizations to help with the build. Students from the Burns High School Future Farmers of America Chapter and students from the Crest High School Key Club will help on Saturday along with employees from Clearwater Paper plant, officers from the Cleveland County Sherriff’s Office and Shelby City Police Department, and volunteers from the Shelby Kiwanis Club and members of the Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors.
Friday afternoon teams of volunteers, PCS Students along with Employees of Playground Safety Services will do some pre-assembly work on part of the playground so that on Saturday morning, the “Build Portion” of the Project will start around 8:30 and finish around 2:00 pm. If you are interested in helping with the community build on Saturday, please contact Roger Davis at 704-487-7774 Playground Safety Services.
“Joe Goforth loved people and looked for ways for different organizations and people to work together. He would be proud of the many individuals and groups are coming together to make this community build a reality.”
Pictured: Roger Davis, principal instructor for the NPCAI Construction School, works with Debi Harrill at the Cleveland Community College LeGrand Center on plans for the three day school to be held February 27 to March 1 culminating with a community build of a playground at the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland County named for Joe and Sophia Goforth, long time supporters of the Club.
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