The Leominster School Committee voted Monday to approve a proposal to replace the Francis Drake Elementary playground with a packaged play system priced at $2,258,552.

The project will be funded with $150,000 from the district general fund and approximately $108,000 from school-choice funds, committee members said during the meeting. An unidentified district presenter, describing the vendor package, said: "If I say it out, the total was $2,258,552." The committee moved to approve the project and the motion was seconded by Josh Cornelius; the chair called the vote and the motion carried (vote tally not specified in the transcript).

The presenter said the district is proposing a kit from Childscapes that fits a roughly 50-by-60-foot footprint, can serve about 113 students, and includes ADA-accessible surface mats provided at no additional charge by the vendor. The plan also includes fencing — an estimated 360 linear feet with two gates — quoted in the presentation at $23,250 for safety and perimeter control. The presenter asked for DPW excavation help to lower installation costs.

Committee members asked practical questions about schedule and durability. The presenter told the committee the vendor needs written confirmation by Dec. 15 to hold the package price and will begin work "as soon as they get that runny" if weather permits; the presenter said the company will begin ordering materials immediately and that, in prior installations, the vendor backed equipment and made repairs when needed. The presenter summarized the vendor warranty stance as a life-of-project backing for failures not caused by vandalism or misuse.

Members also raised site-improvement items. One member asked whether paving or targeted asphalt repair could address trip hazards around existing play areas; the presenter said staff will "check into the asphalt." The committee directed staff to finalize vendor paperwork and confirm DPW support for site work.

Next steps: staff will confirm the written commitment needed to hold the package pricing and coordinate DPW involvement for excavation and site prep; the project timeline presented estimated the playground could be ready for spring if procurement and installation proceed on the vendor's schedule.