New Equipment for Arson-Damaged Playground

Walter Haigh Elementary School is finally going to get a major fix to its playground, which was damaged in an arson incident just before the start of the 2012-2013 school year.

The Salem School Board voted Tuesday to accept the purchase of a new piece of playground equipment, set to be installed over the summer.

According to Haigh School Principal Christine Honey-Nadeau, the new piece will cost $25,094.55.

A small insurance settlement will offset some of the cost of the new piece of equipment, along with donations.

A playground committee was formed by the Haigh PTA in September to address the cost issue. A fund was also set up at that time.

Honey-Nadeau said that fundraising efforts for the playground started with a lemonade stand created by second grader Cheyenne Barrett, daughter of Playground Committee Chairwoman Rachel Barrett.

The board accepted $16,850 in donations Tuesday from six sources, coming in everywhere from a $3,500 contribution made by Canobie Lake Park to a $193 offering from a fundraiser at Salem High School.

A small insurance settlement will offset some of the additional cost of the new piece of equipment.

Honey-Nadeau said that the new piece of equipment will be 40 feet in length with multiple slides and levels.

"It's metal, so it can't burn," she said.

According to Superintendent Michael Delahanty, Salem Police still haven't identified the person or people responsible for the August 2012 playground fire. The wooden structure was over 15 years old at the time of the incident.

"However that hasn't prevented the Haigh community from moving forward," said Delahanty. "They've worked diligently and tapped resources to provide something substantial for the children in that school.

A big celebration will take place to unveil the new piece of equipment at a back to school event in the fall.