DEERFIELD — The Community Preservation Committee has unanimously recommended $200,000 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding for the first phase of an extensive playground renovation and repair project at Deerfield Elementary School.

The multi-pronged project, which will have to face approval from voters at the April 28 Annual Town Meeting, seeks to renovate the lower-grade playground at Deerfield Elementary School in its first phase and then rehabilitate the preschool playground in its second phase, all while making the two structures Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant.

In total, the first phase of the project is estimated to cost $386,652 and the Deerfield Elementary School Committee has considered applying $186,652 in School Choice and rural aid funds to cover the remaining balance, but an official vote has yet to be taken, according to Superintendent Darius Modestow.

“Currently, the rubber surface, installed just 10 years ago, is failing due to a poor substructure, resulting in dangerous depressions that make walking and playing unsafe,” the project’s application reads. “Additionally, the combination of woodchips and rubber safety surfaces has created accessibility challenges for children with mobility disabilities, including those in wheelchairs. The project will also include adding a new play structure designed for children with mobility disabilities, as well as a second structure to enhance the playground’s offerings.”

Originally, the project also included a third phase for basketball courts, but it has been dropped and the district will collaborate with Deerfield’s Highway Department on a future asphalt project for the courts, Modestow said.

In a letter of support, Deerfield Elementary School Committee Chair Carey Etchells said the playground is a resource for all families in town, including those who don’t enroll their children at the school, and investments now will mean reduced maintenance costs in the future.

“The playground serves not only as a vital resource for the children attending Deerfield Elementary, but also as a hub for families in town on weekends and during evenings. Deerfield currently lacks a public park or playground outside of the school grounds, making this space a valuable community asset,” Etchells wrote. “The improvements outlined in the project will increase the playground’s appeal, making it a more desirable and accessible recreational destination for all families, especially those with children who have mobility challenges.”

In a brief discussion Wednesday evening, the Community Preservation Committee unanimously recommended moving the playground project forward to Town Meeting with two non-standard conditions: school money must be expended before CPA funds and the school must install some sort of sign indicating what hours the playground will be available for public use.

If the Deerfield Elementary School Committee commits funding and voters approve the $200,000 CPA appropriation at Town Meeting, Modestow said the school wants to have the project completed over the summer, although that could change.

“Our goal is to complete the project this summer. However, the timing of Town Meeting and the bidding process may present challenges,” Modestow said. “If we are unable to meet the timeline, the project will be completed the following summer.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.