Tri-Cities

Navajo Nation president signs $24.2M contract to upgrade child care playgrounds

Some centers are in disarray and need equipment
On Ashkii Happy Kids Day at the 76th Annual Navajo Nation Fair, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren awarded the contract to Exerplay to install playground equipment at 16 child care centers across the Navajo Nation. (Courtesy Office of the President and Vice President)

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren on Wednesday awarded the contract of Exerplay to install playground equipment at 16 child care centers across the reservation managed by the Department of Child Care and Development.

Exerplay sells landscape playgrounds to Navajo-owned and operated Speedy Sales and Services, according to a Navajo Nation news release.

The Chinle-based company has installed playground across the Navajo Nation for the past 30 years, the release said.

“This is a significant project,” said Speedy Sales and Services owner Jeff Terrell. “We are visiting the sites today to ensure everything is in order. We want to do an excellent job.”

Terrell said the centers will feature state-of-the-art playground equipment.

Upgrades will include new basketball courts, shade structures, fencing, concrete sidewalks, pavement and bleachers.

The company also will replace existing plastic grass with rubber, bouncy surfaces designed to withstand the dust and dirt that often accumulate on playgrounds.

“It’s been an honor to work in child care for over 25 years,” said Exerplay President Dan J. Gardiner. “These new playgrounds will bring excitement and endless possibilities to the communities and the amazing children they serve. We are thrilled to be a part of this project.”

Child care Centers

Alchini Nizhoni Child Care Center, Shiprock.

Crownpoint Child Care Center.

Fort Defiance Child Care Center.

Hogback Child Care Center.

Leupp Early Learning Center.

Little Miss Muffet Child Care Center, Fort Defiance, Arizona.

Many Farms Child Care Center.

Rough Rock Child Care Center.

Tuba City Child Care Center.

“Play is necessary to stimulate learning, creativity, problem-solving skills and other forms of cognitive development in children,” the news release said. “It enhances a child’s social skills, emotional well-being and expression.”

The value of play is critical, multifaceted and extends across all aspects of human development and well-being, Nygren said.

“Our children will have better places to play and exercise, and they will feel like their Nation cares about them,” he said. “At the same time, this initiative will also instill pride in our educators by improving the quality of their school grounds.”

The installation and upgrades of these playgrounds will also create jobs and support a local business, Nygren said.

“When we invest Navajo dollars in our children, they thrive,” he said. “This funding is for our Diné children, our most valuable resource and our future.”

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren stands behind Lukachukai Community School students on Wednesday at the Navajo Nation Fair. (Courtesy Office of the President and Vice President)