By Michael Howell
The thermometer tracking the fundraising efforts for the construction of Bear Mountain Playground at Lewis and Clark Park in Stevensville has been steadily climbing. According to organizer Renee Endicott, with a few verbal commitments added in, the fundraising efforts are within $30,000 of the goal of $195,000 to cover the costs.
Actual construction efforts have already begun to simmer. A representative of Leathers and Associates construction crew was in town last week meeting with the various “captains” who will guide the intense volunteer-based construction effort planned for September.
Close to ten volunteer “captains” will provide direction and quality control over various aspects of the project from control of the tool trailer, to food service, to childcare, to the actual construction of the facility. The highly concentrated and intense construction process is planned to take place over five days starting on Wednesday, September 16 at 7 a.m. and ending on Sunday, September 20 by 4 p.m.
Plans call for three work shifts of about 140 volunteers on each shift. Each shift will work about four hours per day for a full twelve hours of construction work per day. According to Endicott, close to half the number of volunteers needed have already signed up. Besides the cash donations, Endicott said the business community has also been very generous with donations of tools, equipment, materials and in-kind labor for the project as well. Endicott said that she is also looking for some local youth groups that might be interested in camping at the park overnight during the construction process to help provide security at the site.
Anyone interested in helping in any way can contact Renee Endicott at 544-7192.