AMHERST — While there have been concerns about the long-term durability of an eco-friendly material made from cork that will be used as the base of the new elementary school’s playground, a local contractor will take on the task of its installation.
Bob Peirent, special capital projects coordinator for the town, told the Elementary School Building Committee that Omasta Landscaping of Hatfield was the lone bidder interested in handling the work of putting down Corkeen at the playground at Amethyst Brook Elementary School, rising on South East Street next to Fort River School.
Omasta’s bid was for $458,000, which is over the playground budget of just under $400,000, but in line with the estimates for when the committee chose to pursue this product, Peirent said.
“The good thing is we have a local contractor, a contractor that’s done work with the town, a contractor that understands the responsibility they will have,” Peirent said.
Peirent said he had expected to get a bid from Cork N More, a Dallas, Texas-based installer that last fall, along with manufacturer Amorim, provided a five-year warranty for the product. But Cork N More’s bid came in 36 hours past the deadline and had to be returned unopened.
Still, Peirent said he is confident in Omasta because Cork N More quoted the value of the product to the local company. This meant a slight premium in cost, though this will be beneficial to the town and schools.
“I think we’re actually probably better off in that we have a local firm that’s ultimately going to own the responsibility for this project and bring in the people necessary to install it correctly,” Peirent said.
Because there is training necessary on the installation, Peirent said he will likely get that education in advance of the work starting.
Corkeen was chosen despite concern that the installation failed at a school in Easton, and whether the product could endure the New England climate. Committee members, though, and many families have appreciated it being more accessible than poured-in-place rubber, which can get too hot for children, or woodchips, which would prevent children who use wheelchairs from accessing some playground features. Corkeen also is seen as better for the nearby wetlands.
Previously, Town Manager Paul Bockelman had said he wasn’t sure the town could support the product, but the warranties proved to be a “game changer.”
The new K-5 school is expected to open this fall, when both Wildwood and Fort River schools close. In addition, all Amherst sixth graders are supposed to attend the Chestnut Street Academy, which will be created from classrooms inside the Amherst Regional Middle School building.
Planning is already underway for how to move the various classrooms over the summer.