THE NEWS DESK
The News Desk is a collection of news, notes and breaking items affecting the Fredericksburg community.
Parents raising money for Bowling Green playground
BY PORTSIA SMITH
Caroline County parents and businesses are sponsoring an event Saturday to help raise money for a playground for a soon-to-be renovated elementary school.
The Bowling Green Elementary Fun Day and Picnic 5K run/walk will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bowling Green Event Hall at 117 Butler St. in Bowling Green.
Registration forms for the race are still being accepted. The cost is $5 for students, $10 for teachers, $15 for other citizens and $25 for families.
Runners will begin at 9 a.m. and walkers will start at 9:10.
Each participant will receive a goody bag and a free entry into a gift-card raffle from area businesses and a free throw at a dunk tank in which Superintendent Greg Killough and a few school principals will be targets.
Supervisors Wayne Acors, Jeff Sili and Jeff Black, as well as Bowling Green Mayor David Storke, Sheriff Tony Lippa and Maj. Scott Moser will be locked up—for a good cause. The donations they receive to get out of “jail” will go toward the playground.
The event will also feature a moon bounce and a barrel train for children. Hot dogs, hamburgers, doughnuts and drinks will also be on sale.
All proceeds will go to the CCPS Education Foundation to use for the playground.
School Board members voted in April to approve a $10 million contract to renovate and expand the current Bowling Green Primary School. The project will consolidate Bowling Green Primary, which educates pre-kindergarten through second-grade students, and Bowling Green Elementary, which educates third- through fifth-graders, on the primary school campus.
The expanded facility will include new classrooms, restrooms, a more-secure school entrance, a new bus canopy, a new cafeteria and kitchen, an expanded and renovated media center, additional computer labs and a relocated and expanded administration and guidance area.
The project does not include a gymnasium or a playground, so some parents are trying to raise money for both. The gym is estimated at about $300,000.
Fort A.P. Hill gave a $65,000 check to the school system from the National Forest Reserve, which will be used toward the gym.
Parent volunteer Naeda Gustard, who has been the point person for the 5K event, said other fundraisers are being planned.
Construction at Bowling Green Primary is ongoing and is expected to be completed by fall 2013.
Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419
