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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
Local home builder helps to complete playground at elementary
T
he students of Crystal Springs Elementary School in Bothell are celebrating the start of the new year for a whole different reason - they have a new playground set. Unveiled at the school’s ‘welcome back’ picnic, the playground was not only many years in the making
but a community driven project. “It’s very exciting to be here today. For us, we made this into a big community event because we have our big playground unveiling. This is an exciting day for us,” said Crystal Springs Elementary Principal May Pelto. Work started on the entirety of the playground
Residents pack into meeting about seminary renovation BY DEANNA ISAACS disaacs@bothell-reproter.com
A large crowd of no fewer than 200 people crowded into the standing room only meeting room of the Northshore Utility District building on Aug. 25 to hear about a proposal for Saint Edwards Seminary and a request for a time extension from Daniels Real Estate firm to the state. “State Parks, about a year ago, had a commission meeting and in that commission meeting, the commission gave direction to staff to work to find a partner to rehabilitate the building. That year is about to expire in September,” said Michael Hankinson, Washington State Parks and Recreation department. “At a staff level, we have reviewed what Kevin Daniels presented to us last week and we feel it has enough merit to explore further.” A few weeks ago, The Bothell-Kenmore Reporter revealed a new proposal for the seminary which would
turn the dilapidated and decaying building, currently owned by the financially deprived Washington State Parks and Recreation Department, into a lodge like those found on many national parks. “It’s a new concept to State Parks, our commissioners are not familiar with it, so we’re starting at the very beginning,” Hankinson said. Usually, the public is not included until after a concept has been fleshed out, however the Parks and Rec. Department decided to start the process concerning the seminary building with a public forum and a little education about the park itself. “Did you know that our trail system cuts right through the middle of [the McDonald property]?” Hankinson asked citizens at the meeting. “When people take that trail that goes down to the water, they’re trespassing.” The Daniels Real Estate firm will exchange a 10acre plot of McDonald [ more SEMINARY page 14 ]
Now Enrolling for ½ Day Kindergarten Preparatory Program!
“It’s very exciting to be here today. For us, we made this into a big community event because we have our big playground unveiling. This is an exciting day for us.” Crystal Springs Principal May Pelto a few years prior to Pelto’s coming to Crystal Springs. One of the first things she did for the project was break it into two manageable goals. The first, accomplished in February, was the play
fields. The second, was the playground set. “We had a climbing web installed in February of last year, and then we wrote grants, contacted community partners and hosted
Return of the champs
a community auction and raised enough money to install our second phase of the playground,” Pelto said. However, Quadrant Homes, which is currently building the King’s Corner and Filbert Glen in Bothell, came to the rescue when contacted by parents. “We were working on a community in Bothell, called the Filbert Glen, and
our project manager was approached by a neighbor in the PTA,” said Bonnie Geers, vice-president of community development for Quadrant. The school had put the playground equipment in storage until they could find the funds to complete the project. “We think that building in a community also [ more SCHOOL page 3 ]
Reporter football previews
Above, Bothelll High School head coach Tom Bainter addresses his team following a preseason workout. Below and left, players prepare for the upcoming football team and to defend the school’s first state title. The full preview section, including stories on the Cedar Park Christian and Inglemoor High School football teams, can be found on pages 10-12. MATT PHELPS, Bothell Reporter
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BY DEANNA ISAACS disaacs@bothell-reporter.com