Tree House almost ready for play
By Kurt Hauglie, DMG Writer
Daily Mining Gazettette
Daily Mining Gazettette
HOUGHTON - The idea for it began in June, a location to construct it was found in September, and in late March, the Tree House Indoor Playspace will be ready to receive its first little users.
Cathy Benda, executive director of Keweenaw Family Resources Center in Houghton, organizers and managers of the playspace, said the Tree House structure arrived Thursday in a kit form, and students from Jeffers High School and Michigan Technological University helped to unload it from the delivery truck.
"It came in about 20 (heavy) pieces," Benda said.
The Tree House is from a company in Maine called Kids Crooked House, and Friday, Jeff Leighton of the company, and Steve Juntunen and Eric Harjala of Raasio Contracting, were putting the house together on top of a metal platform in the Red Ridge Plaza suite.
Benda said after the tree house is completed, an artificial tree for children to climb on will be installed next to the tree house next week, the floor in the playspace will follow that, and finally, a slide will be installed.
"Then we should be ready to rock and roll," she said.
The planned opening for play is March 22, Benda said.
"It'll be a bonus if it's ready before that," she said.
A logo for the Tree House is being designed by the Marketing Department of Houghton, also, Benda said.
The playspace is intended for children aged infant to 5 years old. It's designed to provide not only exercise, but also to develop motor and cognitive skills.
Although KFRC received a $10,000 donation to get the construction started on the Tree House, a goal of $100,000 was set for the project, and Benda said that goal is nearly realized with about $20,000 to go.
"We're still actively soliciting for donations," she said. "No amount is too large or too small."
The KFRC is selling 200 pickets for a picket fence wall in its office next to the playspace, Benda said, and for $100, donors can put a dedication or comment on the picket. To purchase a picket, or make another donation to the Tree House, go online to houghtonwinterpark.blogspot.com or call the KFRC at 482-9363.
Benda said yearly and semester memberships will be available during a membership drive at the beginning of March. Daily passes will also be available after the playspace opens.
Benda said the effort and progress on the creation of the Tree House Indoor Playspace has been very satisfying.
"We feel great how far we've gotten," she said. "This has been just a great project. Community involvement has been wonderful."
Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@ mininggazette.com.
Cathy Benda, executive director of Keweenaw Family Resources Center in Houghton, organizers and managers of the playspace, said the Tree House structure arrived Thursday in a kit form, and students from Jeffers High School and Michigan Technological University helped to unload it from the delivery truck.
"It came in about 20 (heavy) pieces," Benda said.
The Tree House is from a company in Maine called Kids Crooked House, and Friday, Jeff Leighton of the company, and Steve Juntunen and Eric Harjala of Raasio Contracting, were putting the house together on top of a metal platform in the Red Ridge Plaza suite.
Benda said after the tree house is completed, an artificial tree for children to climb on will be installed next to the tree house next week, the floor in the playspace will follow that, and finally, a slide will be installed.
"Then we should be ready to rock and roll," she said.
The planned opening for play is March 22, Benda said.
"It'll be a bonus if it's ready before that," she said.
A logo for the Tree House is being designed by the Marketing Department of Houghton, also, Benda said.
The playspace is intended for children aged infant to 5 years old. It's designed to provide not only exercise, but also to develop motor and cognitive skills.
Although KFRC received a $10,000 donation to get the construction started on the Tree House, a goal of $100,000 was set for the project, and Benda said that goal is nearly realized with about $20,000 to go.
"We're still actively soliciting for donations," she said. "No amount is too large or too small."
The KFRC is selling 200 pickets for a picket fence wall in its office next to the playspace, Benda said, and for $100, donors can put a dedication or comment on the picket. To purchase a picket, or make another donation to the Tree House, go online to houghtonwinterpark.blogspot.com or call the KFRC at 482-9363.
Benda said yearly and semester memberships will be available during a membership drive at the beginning of March. Daily passes will also be available after the playspace opens.
Benda said the effort and progress on the creation of the Tree House Indoor Playspace has been very satisfying.
"We feel great how far we've gotten," she said. "This has been just a great project. Community involvement has been wonderful."
Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@ mininggazette.com.
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