Work Begins on Laughlin Chapel’s New Play Space in East Wheeling
Emma Delk Trending
WHEELING -- Dirt cakes were served to Laughlin Chapel children following the groundbreaking of the site of their new play space.
Located between Lane 15 and 17th Street, the recreation space will include a half-court basketball court, a terraced area and open green spaces for kids to enjoy. The site will also be fenced off with lighting and security cameras.
"I think this is going to be an impetus to great things happening in this neighborhood," the Rev. Erica Harley, one of the Chapel's board members, said at Thursday's groundbreaking. "Laughlin Chapel has supported this neighborhood for 150 years and counting, so we are thrilled that we can break ground on this new green space in our own backyard."
The play space was born from funding provided by the City of Wheeling's Community Development Block Grant Program, The Hess Family Foundation, George W. Bowers Family Charitable Trust, the Woda Cooper Group and the Ohio County Commission. The lots for the project were a gift from Attorney Mark Kepple.
Securing these five major funders and Savage Construction of Wheeling to build the site was "the culmination of two years of hard work," said Chapel Director Martha Wright.
"It's exciting to see this development in the area," said Wright. "The lot was in terrible condition, and even just to see it cleared is exciting."
Breaking land on the site was a full-circle moment for Wright, who explained the shovel she used was the same one that broke ground for construction on Laughlin Chapel's building in 2014.
During his speech at the groundbreaking, City Manager Robert Herron emphasized the development occurring in East Wheeling, adding that "a lot of positive things" were going on in the area.
"The city invested in playgrounds and green spaces throughout the city in the past several years, so this is a great opportunity for us to partner with Laughlin Chapel," said Herron. "There's been economic and housing development in this neighborhood, so we're very proud of the transition occurring here in this facility and this playground."
In his speech, Herron noted that support for the playground was unanimous among city council members. Vice Mayor Chad Thalman and Ward 3 Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum were present celebrating the accomplishment at the groundbreaking.
Ketchum, whose district the playground will be in, added that she found the execution of the project "particularly heartwarming" as it will "help keep children in this neighborhood." She hopes more families will be encouraged to stay and raise their children in the area with the addition of more green spaces like the playground.
"These kinds of developments are not easy on a neighborhood, and there are growing pains in many ways," said Ketchum. "We're really grateful for the collaboration that helped make this valuable asset to the community."
While getting the project up and going has "seemed like an eternity," for Wright, she explained as soon as the children were told construction was starting, "they were pumped."
"Being able to tell them they were getting a new playground and seeing that reaction was an amazing feeling," she added. "It should be finished in about 90 days, and even on a kid's schedule, that's pretty fast."
Drawing attention to the fact that Laughlin Chapel is "primarily concerned with children's academic life," Harley outlined the organization primarily assists kids in developing their math and reading skills.
She noted that "there's so much more to what we try to do for them," including making sure they're well-fed and developing social skills. The playground will target another aspect of childhood development for the organization in developing their physical abilities.
"At the end of the day, kids need to run," said Harley. "They've been in school all day, so we needed our own space that's fenced in where they can be safe and play.
Apart from giving the children a space to run around, Harley emphasized the greater value the playground will bring to the community. She explained that by the time the project is completed, $200,000 will have been spent on the area.
"We're not only beautifying the space, but we're growing this neighborhood," said Harley. "The building across the street is going to be developed, and we've got the firehouse coming in.
So many good things are happening just in this little piece of Wheeling, and I think it's gonna be great."