<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589568470067.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Arc of the Central Plains" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Arc of the Central Plains</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostSince the beginning of the COVID-19
pandemic, area residents and businesses have continued to show support for the
ARC Park project — allowing organizers to set a tentative opening date for the playground to be built at 33rd and Hillcrest in Hays.Since March, several donations have come
in, including the latest $5,000 donation from <a href="https://www.sunriseabs.com/">Sunrise AgriBusiness Solutions.</a><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHAYSARCPARK%2Fposts%2F712973359511379&width=500" width="500" height="519" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>Since
March 4, Rob and Megan Miller also contributed $5,000, Royal
Roofing &amp; Remodeling contributed $1,000, Kathy Pfeifer contributed
$500, and fundraising efforts at O’Laughlin and Wilson elementary schools brought
in another $533 and $1,385, respectively.Those recent donations
have helped push the total amount raised to $625,000 — close enough to the goal
that the ARC Park board is planning to start construction with an opening date tentatively
planned for September.Originally, equipment
for the playground was to
be ordered in May, but COVID-19 changed plans as construction companies deal
with continually changing projects, travel restrictions and distancing
guidelines.&nbsp;“We
want to get it out there as quickly as we can,” said Sarah Meitner, Arc of the
Central Plains board president.The playground will be phase one of a three-stage project, which will ultimately include a splash pad and baseball
field, designed to be inclusive for everyone, including those with disabilities.While organizers believe they are close
enough in funding to begin the construction process, they are continuing to
seek construction partners that might be willing to donate dirt and concrete work
in order to fully utilize funds raised for equipment.“There is a lot of it,” said Kathy McAdoo,&nbsp;Arc of the Central Plains executive director. “The excavation of that project is a 15,000-square-foot area.”If a partner cannot be secured, adjustments will be made to the design to bring the current expected cost of $760,000 down.The primary goal is to open the playground on time, even if some equipment needs to be removed from the design to keep to the amount of funds available.“So if we have to make some changes to
get that done we are going to do it,” said Brent Kaiser, Arc of the Central
Plains activities director.One change that is being finalized is
the amount of turf that will be used in the playground area after an
in-kind donation of turf was made by Thomas More Prep-Marian graduate and
president of ForeverLawn-Mile High in Colorado Springs, Trey Moeder.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589568554671.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Arc of the Central Plains" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Arc of the Central Plains</figcaption>
 </figure>Initially, Moeder pledged turf for the
baseball field, but after offering to put in turf in the playground as well, the playground plans are being adjusted.&nbsp;“We
looked at the design and which areas could have turf and which areas still need
the pour-in-place,” Meitner said.The toddler area and under the zip line
were determined to be the best fit for turf.“It’s actually better,” Kaiser said. “It’s
padded.”While they haven’t put a number on
paper, Meitner said the original pledge was around $60,000 and it is possible
it would be another $60,000 for playground turf.“That alone will bring our cost down, which
is what makes us feel like ‘let’s go ahead,' ” Meitner said. “If we can chip away
at that with this turf change and any other in-kind (donations, we think we can
close the gap.”&nbsp;The latest design from the project engineer
that incorporates the change and &nbsp;is
expected any day.Once a final plan is decided upon, organizers
will seek approval from the city and begin scheduling construction efforts, but
the developer hopes to have the project complete by Sept. 1 — a timeline that will
rely on construction companies that have seen significant impacts to scheduling
during the pandemic.&nbsp;“We
know building schedules have been affected,” Meitner said. “Our developer tells
us they have actually been bumped ahead on schedule.”Even after the playground is completed, organizers
will continue to push ahead with fundraising efforts for the ball field and
splash pad, but recognize the challenge of asking for funds while many people
and businesses struggle to recover from COVID-19.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589568608133.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Arc of the Central Plains" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Arc of the Central Plains</figcaption>
 </figure>“We understand everybody is hurting
right now,” Kaiser said, noting they would continue to be resourceful in
securing funds moving forward and not simply ask for donations alone.And Meitner said they want to fundraise
“carefully,” with the understanding some nonprofits still need to raise money
for operating expenses.“They are all super important to our community,”
Kaiser said. “Some of them are hurting, and we want to make sure they are
getting what they need.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Despite COVID-19, ARC Park plans push forward