St. Rita School opens its new playground

HAMDEN — St. Rita School celebrated the opening of its new playground Monday with a ribboncutting ceremony.

School parents made the old playground of wood and had reached the end of its lifespan, according to Principal Patti Tiezzi.

Thus, as part of last year’s 60th anniversary campaign, the school raised funds to replace it, receiving donations from parents, parishioners and the community, as well as obtaining grants.

The new playground cost more than $80,000, Tiezzi said. It’s not quite finished, as additional landscaping needs to be done, and the basketball court and hopscotch courses need to be lined, but the school wanted to open it before the end of the academic year.

It’s a valuable addition, Tiezzi said — children need the opportunity to have physical activity, and the area, which includes basketball hoops, allows them to be creative and hang out with their friends.

“I’m thrilled to pieces,” said Tiezzi. “I think the children are thrilled they have a new play space.”

The old playground had been closed for a few months, according to Carissa Civitello, director of marketing and admissions. Children had been playing on the school blacktop in the interim, Tiezzi said.

Mayor Curt B. Leng attended Monday’s ribboncutting, and kindergartners had the chance to try out the new play area afterward.

On Tuesday, Tiezzi offered her thanks to those who made the addition possible .

“Thank you to everyone who contributed. I’m sure the children will enjoy the playground for years to come,” said Tiezzi.

St. Rita School, a pre-K-8 Catholic institution dating back to 1956, currently educates about 430 students, according to Civitello.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media St. Rita School kindergartners try out their new playground after a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday in Hamden.