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Neighborhood news
Kids could have it made in the shade
By Susie Woodhams
Published February 9, 2007
When most kids think of their school fair, they envision mounds of cotton candy, endless trips on the bounce castle and all the prizes they'll win at the beanbag toss and duck pond. Parents at Lithia Springs Elementary School are hoping next week's Family Fun Fair yields something much more lasting: a covered physical education court. "It's been on our wish list ever since I've been a teacher," said Lithia Springs P.E. teacher Nancy Nowakowski. "It gets hot and, granted, our students are only out there 30 minutes twice a week. But when you want to maximize their participation, it's difficult to do when it's sweltering." To get a covered area before temperatures soar later this spring, the school is counting on its Feb. 17 Fun Fair generating more than $30,000, with the bulk of the funds coming from a live auction. The lowest estimate the school's parent-teacher association has received for an 80-by-80 foot steel structure for the existing basketball court is $129,000. The school and PTA have already raised $48,000, with students bringing in more than $8,000 of that through a walkathon. Hillsborough public schools can apply to the district for matching funds, but only up to $50,000 - and only when they've secured the remaining funds to pay for the entire project. That means Lithia Springs must have $79,000 before it can apply for the matching funds. Since 2001, 24 elementary schools in the county have built covered courts or pavilions using matching funds, with costs ranging from $17,000 to $191,500. Gibsonton Elementary was the last school to apply and receive funds for a covered court built in January. Although the cost was just under $100,000 - $29,000 less than Lithia Springs' lowest bid - the contractor gave the school an in-kind donation that lowered the price. "One of the dads at our school is an engineer and is going to donate his time to do the drawings, so that will save us some money," said PTA president Tamara Spriggs. "So we'll know after the auction whether we'll have enough to do it this year." If not, the PTA may choose to cover a smaller area for less money. Or it could wait a year and risk a price increase - or that next year's PTA decides against the project. That's what happened at Buckhorn Elementary in Valrico, when the PTA voted this year to spend funds originally raised for a covered court on technological needs. "With all the fundraising efforts, it's nice to have something immediate that is visible," said Buckhorn principal Amy Zilbar. "A covered court is a long-term project and you won't have anything to show until a few years down the road. Technology was a pressing need and it's been wonderful to be able to fill it." Items being auctioned include hotel and vacation packages, Buccaneers and Lightning tickets, sports memorabilia and more. If you go Lithia Springs Elementary Fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 17, Lithia Springs Elementary School, 4332 Lynx Paw Trail, Valrico. Tickets for games and rides are 50 cents each day of the event or 25 cents in advance. All proceeds go toward the court project.
[Last modified February 8, 2007, 08:23:47]
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