Indianapolis Colts build new playground for Butler Lab School 60

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts organization was at it again on Community Tuesday.

Some Indianapolis Public School students have a new playground, all thanks to the Colts.

Until Tuesday, students at Butler Lab School 60 on North Pennsylvania Street didn’t have a great place to play. Assistant Principal Heidi Wilson said, “Our playground has been put together piecemeal over the years.”

Ande Sadtler, director of community impact for the Colts, explained how its playground program works. “We find a playground that either is falling apart of doesn’t have the newest equipment or just really needs some love. So, we work really hard to identify the need, and then we come in and build the playground.”

The Colts organization reached out to the elementary school and surprised students this week with the exciting news. The assistant principal said, “Once they (students) found out, it (excitement) was through the roof. We actually created a viewing room on the third floor where they have little mini binoculars so they can look out and check out the progress.”

More than 150 volunteers including staff, partners, players and cheerleaders helped build students a playground from the ground up, working with the experts at Sinclair Recreation. Sadtler said, “We’re going to have swings, we’re going to have slides, we’re going to have a climbing wall, so a little bit of everything.”

It was the Colts’ 17th annual playground build.

Wilson said, “I think we’re so lucky to have the Colts organization choose us to receive this playground. The kids are going to like it.”