CEDAR FALLS -- North Cedar Elementary students will have limited outdoor play space when school resumes this fall.

Between 1/2 and 1 foot of standing water still covers some of the school's playground, the remnants of this summer's record flood. As the floodwaters began to recede, the city pumped water from the playground, but Doug Nefzger, the district's director of business affairs, said nothing more can be done.

"It is a water table issue now," he said. "There is just no place for it to go, that's why we haven't pumped what is left."

The Board of Education was updated on North Cedar's condition during its meeting Monday.

The district expects playground repair costs to total about $74,000, with about $20,000 set aside for removing and replacing the pea gravel underneath the equipment. The play equipment was determined to be structurally sound and will be ready for use after it is cleaned and sanitized, said Superintendent David Stoakes.

The district is investigating Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement options, but believes by accepting that money they would be forced to purchase flood insurance. Repairs not covered by federal money or donations will be paid for using physical plant and equipment levy money.

While the playground equipment will be ready for the first day of school, district administrators are making alternate plans to find additional green space for the students.

The water is covering the school's ball diamond and walking track, both of which will have to be replaced. The district also will have to reseed all the land that was under water. A temporary fence has been erected to keep students and the community off the flooded property.

District administrators have looked at long-term solutions to the flooding problem. A civil engineer has inspected the property and given the district ideas on how to address the problem, though Nefzger said none of the solutions would have alleviated this summer's problem.

Nefzger said one possibility would be to bring the playground up to curb level, a project that would require about 25,000 cubic yards of fill and 28,000 cubic yards of top soil and would cost about $186,000. Another option would build the playground up to three feet above street level, which would get the area out of the 100-year flood plain, and would cost about $262,000.

Contact Emily Christensen

at (31) 291-1520 or

emily.christensen@wcfcourier.