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Tires, shoes become school playground
Now that vision is becoming a reality at Central Christian Academy in Houston.
"We wanted a safe place, a happy place, a place where they could grow good Christian relationships that will last after they are out of school," said Amy Bioni of Houston.
Students had to play on the parking lot, said Principal Kate Giacalone. The school wanted a new playground that all students could use safely, she said.
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"All credit to them," Giacalone said of the Bionis. "They've been incredible."
Terry Buckley of the United Kingdom and Vince Garrett of Ohio were at the school this week to install the playground material. Buckley was there to train nine employees how to do it correctly. Work is expected to be done next week as long as the weather cooperates. Garrett said it's the first recycled Nike playground in Pennsylvania.
The base material is made from recycled commercial tires, and the top portion is made from recycled shoes, Garrett said. He said 92 percent of the material is recycled.
Every square yard includes at least 20 pairs of shoes and one commercial tire, he said. With 9,240 square feet of space, the playground includes 20,533 pairs of recycled shoes and 1,026 recycled tires.
"These guys have emptied a land fill," Garrett said.
Community members, including the Bionis and Jim Moore, helped with the project.
"It's been more fun than work with these folks around," Garrett said.
The ultimate cost is expected to be roughly $90,000. Giacalone said the community, businesses and families have stepped up to the plate with donations.
The whole process began eight weeks ago, she said. The school still needs to raise about $30,000 to $40,000, she said.
"It all happened so very, very fast," she said. "It's been wonderful. It's been a miracle."
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