Sacred Heart Hosts Playground Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Sacred Heart School leadership, parents, students, and members of the community gathered Wednesday morning to officially celebrate the completion of the school's playground resurfacing from pea gravel to interlocking surface tiles made from 100% recycled tire.

Funding was made possible through private donations and grants through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and West Central Missouri Solid Waste Management.

Sacred Heart School daycare, preschool, and kindergarteners join SHS leadership, parents, and members of the community for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of interlocking surface tiles that replaced the playground's pea gravel.

"The tiles greatly improve the safety and aesthetics of our playground while keeping old tires out of the landfill," said Ryane City, SHS office manager, and playground committee member.

City added that the tile project alone will use approximately 70,420 pounds of Missouri tire, which is about 3,521 passenger tires.

The ceremonies kicked off with a greeting from Dr. Mark Register, SHS president, followed by a prayer and blessing of the playground from Fr. David Veit, Pastor in Soliduum, St. Vincent de Paul. Celebratory remarks also came from Mardy Hostetler, project foreman; Susan Mergen, Chamber president; and Mayor John Kehde. A special donor recognition banner also was on display to recognize contributors to the project.

"We are most grateful to the staff and parents serving on our playground committee who worked for over a year to see this project from grant application to reality," said Register. "Members of the SHS community pooling their gifts to make projects like this one possible is what has made Catholic Education historically special. This type of community spirit is what will carry us successfully into the future as well."

This press release was provided by Liz Suter-Van Leer, Development Director of Sacred Heart School.