From the desk of the pastor for May 11, 2025

The Lord be with you. I need to give an extended update on the playground. The news is not good, and it will likely upset a number of people. Unfortunately, the playground cannot be completed and will need to be removed. Earlier this week I gave the news in detail, but I want everyone to know what happened and why the playground is neither safe nor completable.

During the WeGiveCatholic campaign of 2023, St. Thomas More raised $46,687 for a playground. Although that seems like more than enough money, it was not. In fact, the bids obtained in early 2024 for a playground that had play areas for all ages were in excess of $70,000. Faced with this shortfall a compromise was sought by the parish staff. Ultimately, your former pastor decided to obtain part of a playground from Brook Park.

When he made that decision, Fr. Feldtz had an obligation to obtain the bishop's permission for the expenditure of funds in excess of $25,000. He declined to do so. He further declined to obtain a contract, scope of work, or schedule of payments with the vendor he chose. Instead, he received a verbal promise and a verbal contract that the work would be done.

When Fr. Bline became your administrator, he should have reviewed this project. He did not, and the project proceeded as per Fr. Feldtz's verbal understanding, which was essentially the best judgment of the vendor. I am not blaming either priest here; nor am I blaming the vendor here. I am making it clear that the project was not overseen in a prudent manner.

After being at the parish for a few weeks, I asked the paperwork for the playground expecting to get a contract. Instead, I was given payments to the vendor with "playground" as the only description. Further investigation revealed that the parish had not followed standard procedures. I then consulted with the Legal and Finance Offices of the Diocese. We agreed that the project would be paused till a contract and schedule of payments were created with the vendor.

The vendor reacted poorly to this development; no contract and no schedule of payments would be forthcoming. The vendor, in fact, threatened suit against us for temporarily withholding payment for work already done. We settled accounts with that vendor and the subcontractors that were owed monies for this project. When all monies were dispersed, over $54,000 had been spent.

Over the winter we had the playground examined by both a professional playground installer and a company that had recently moved and installed a used playground. In their professional opinions the playground at St. Thomas More is unsafe, incomplete, and it cannot be brought to a state where it would be safe for children to play on it. I fully agree with these assessments and would highlight the following defects:

1. the footers were poured by hand and are already cracking

2. several of the play areas are badly damaged and need significant repair to be safe

3. non standard parts were used when original pieces did not work

4. the play areas are not properly spaced and cannot be certified

That last point needs explanation. Each piece of a playground is really a play area with its own distinct mechanics. The state requires that the equipment have enough room between play areas so that the children are spaced out in a safe manner. Since our playground was built from parts and portions of another playground, the relevant play areas interfere with each other.

When the playground has been removed, we will get bids for a new playground and start the process over. I cannot offer a timeline for that, but we will keep the parish informed about what is happening. I know that a lot of work and money went into this project, but the safety of our children must be our priority. I would ask that anyone who has further questions contact me directly at the rectory.

In His Sacred Heart,

Fr. John