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Westerly subcommittee, governor’s commission spar over playground surfacing and costs
Summary
A disagreement emerged over playground surfacing at Springbrook: the governor’s commission requested poured‑in‑place surfacing on accessible routes, while district staff say engineered wood fiber (EWF) specified in the bid can be compacted and meet accessibility tests; the cost gap could add hundreds of thousands of dollars if converted to poured rubber.
District project staff and the governor’s commission on disabilities clashed over playground surfacing specifications for Springbrook Elementary, and the subcommittee voted to convene a small working group to meet with the governor’s commission to clarify requirements.
Staff said the commission recently reiterated a preference for poured‑in‑place surfacing for accessible routes, while the district’s specification called for engineered wood fiber (EWF) products that manufacturers state can be compacted and tested for wheelchair access. A staff estimate cited in the meeting put the incremental cost of poured‑in‑place surfacing at roughly $37 per square foot versus about $5.50 per square foot for EWF — a difference that could translate to a four‑ to five‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar change order depending on the acreage of accessible routes.
"We need to close the issue on the EWF, adjust the drawings and specs if there's any agreement or changes that need to be made, and then confirm the scope to the contractor so we can assure the summer 2025 install," a staff member said. Committee members proposed forming a three‑ or four‑person delegation from the school building committee and district staff to meet the governor’s commission (virtually or in person) to discuss the technical basis of the requirement, applicable tests and standards, and any acceptable alternatives such as rubber mats that could meet accessibility while limiting cost.
The committee did not cancel playground work but signaled urgency: staff warned that some production orders are already in motion and that a prompt resolution is needed to avoid costly change orders or schedule impacts.
