Investing in Captain: New Play Surface Coming this Spring

Investing in Captain: New Play Surface Coming this Spring Captain Elementary School students can look forward to a new outdoor play surface later this school year! At its Oct. 7 meeting, the Board of Education unanimously approved the project , which was identified as a priority through the District’s Long-Range Facilities Master Plan . Byrne & Jones Construction, the same contractor that installed Glenridge Elementary School’s outdoor play field in 2020, is scheduled to begin work at Captain in March 2027. Fencing and site preparation could begin the week before spring break. Similar to the field at Glenridge, Captain’s new play area will feature soccer goals and a padded surface designed to help reduce the risk of injuries. The field will be installed over a portion of the existing asphalt play area, with accessibility improvements to make the space easier for students with mobility challenges to enjoy. Together, these upgrades will create a safer, more accessible space that students can use throughout the year, giving them more opportunities to get outside and play, even when conditions are less than ideal. “We are excited for our students to have this new space,” said Erin Knight, EdD, Captain Elementary principal. “Outdoor play is such an important part of the school day, and having a space where students can run, play and spend time together year-round will be a wonderful addition to our school. I can’t wait to see our students enjoying this space.” Installation is expected to take approximately two weeks, weather permitting, with the goal of having the new space ready for students to enjoy before the end of the school year. The Captain play surface is one of five capital improvement projects moving forward across the District, in addition to the three larger projects funded through the community’s support of Proposition O. Learn more about the District's facility improvements.