Last modified: 6/17/2013 11:07:11 AM
THE CONTOOCOOK School has a new patio thanks to a local landscaper, his crew and area suppliers.
The private school, which serves students with mental disorders or behavioral challenges, ran into funding problems before the start of construction, but Brian Cressy of Green Horizon Landscaping, who had volunteered to build the patio, reached out to suppliers and got them to donate materials. The project was completed last week, just in time for graduation Friday. “The kids are so psyched about it,” said Missy Long, the physical education teacher who helped organize the project. “I’m thrilled that Brian stepped up and did this.”
We asked Cressy about his involvement.
How did you hear about the project? They called us and asked if we’d be interested in doing a patio, as a paid project. I said I’d donate the labor and equipment, and was told they’d raise some money for the materials.
What happened? The United Way funding got delayed, so I said, “You know what? I’ll call the suppliers and see if they can donate the materials.” I didn’t want to let the kids down. . . . One of my longtime suppliers, Foster Materials, out of Henniker, donated gravel stone for the base.
What does the patio look like? It’s a 15-by-15 foot square.
Is that hard to build? There’s a bit more of a process than just laying down brick. Most of the work goes into the prep, because you don’t want (the patio) to settle – sink in – after it’s done.
Did the kids help? Yeah. . . . I wanted to show them how to do it themselves.