Perryton ISD reviews playground overhaul and classroom upgrades at Bridal Elementary; final approvals scheduled next week

Perryton ISD trustees reviewed renovation plans for Bridal Elementary during a board meeting in which architects and district staff outlined a playground-first scheme that would replace the school's existing asphalt play surface with a concrete, all‑weather area and extend irrigated grass for a soccer/football field. District staff recommended a base budget in the mid‑$300,000s with contingency and asked the board to consider final approval at the next regular meeting.

The discussion centered on three priorities: converting the primary asphalt play area to an all‑weather surface, installing a sprinkler and Bermuda sod for the field, and providing sidewalks to improve community access and playground circulation. Staff said the plan reduces the paved area from about 26,000 square feet to roughly 20,000 square feet to free funds for sidewalks and the grass field. The proposed base budget presented to the board was about $374,000, plus a line for unforeseen items; staff said the original bond estimate was closer to $360,000. If the board keeps all sidewalks as shown and extends paving by roughly 6,000 square feet, staff estimated the total could rise to about…