CHINA GROVE — China Grove took steps towards purchasing a new play structure for Westhaven Park to replace the one that was torn down last year.

“After the capital improvement plan, the town decided to put $50,000 toward renovating Westhaven Park,” Parks and Recreation Director Jill Sellers said at the most recent China Grove Town Council meeting.

The old play structure was taken down in September of 2023 over safety concerns.

“There were some significant structural issues with it where it was rusting and falling in or unsafe,” Sellers said. “We made the decision to remove it immediately.”

Sellers indicated that the town was exploring different opportunities for a play structure for that park.

“The company GameTime, a national company, has a grant program that I applied for in October,” Sellers said.

On Oct. 24, GameTime Recreation awarded China Grove with a $24,895 grant to go towards purchasing new play equipment for the park. Cunningham Recreation, the local company that represents GameTime Recreation, has drawn up a custom play structure that would cost $54,594.

With the grant money, China Grove would receive the unit for $29,699. The cost for shipping is $2,636 and installation is $13,950. That installation has to be conducted by GameTime Recreation personnel.

In addition to purchasing and installing the unit, safety play surfacing and signage would also be replaced.

All this would fall into the $50,000 budget that we were allotted,” Sellers said.

Sellers added that there is an approximate 18-week wait time once the unit is ordered.

“We looking around a February or March delivery and an installation,” Sellers said. “We would start a community survey immediately to let the neighborhood and community select the colors and the other finishing details on that structure.”

The structure is recommended for children ages 5-12.

“It can serve about 20-30 children at a time, which is perfect for the small neighborhood that it serves,” Sellers said.

The decision to approve the purchase of the playground was made unanimously.