Photo by Joselyn King Ritchie Elementary School Principal Amy Ritz wants to bring playground equipment to the school.

WHEELING — Ritchie Elementary School turns 100 years old in 2026, and its principal wants to celebrate the milestone with a new playground.

The current playground is a blacktop field with a high fence around it where students play kickball, and principal Amy Ritz envisions it could be more.

The estimated price tag to add equipment there is $210,000.

This week Ritz asked board of education members for permission to start raising the funds.

Board members unanimously approved the idea.

Ritz has been principal at Ritchie School since July.

“If you haven’t been to Ritchie recently, you need to make an excuse to come,” she told board members. “This is an incredible facility with an outstanding staff.

“When you leave, you will feel good about yourself. The kids will make you smile, and you will feel good about Ohio County.”

Ritz noted one issue, however, is that the school’s playground “is one big flattop field.”

“Next year is our 100th anniversary, so maybe I could convince everyone we could get a new playground by then,” she said.

She first talked with the teachers about the project, and found them supportive.

“I started getting emails from (teachers) saying, ‘Could we do this fundraiser?’ or ‘Is it OK If I wrote this grant?'” Ritz said. “I’m thinking this is incredible, but I’m still thinking I’ll push it off a bit.

“Then the community members began to step in and change my mind. Community members, LSIC members, and PTO members started to put together all these grants. Then I thought, the one thing holding us back is me.”

Ritz asked board of education members for permission to start fundraising for the project.

She explained new playground equipment would complement the kickball field, “which is an important thing at Ritchie.”

It also would contain a sensory area, and have climbing areas.

“We would still keep the kickball area and all the wrap-around space,” she added.

The same company who designed the playgrounds at Bethlehem and Steenrod elementaries is involved with this project, according to Ritz..

“We do know they put out a quality project,” she said.

Board President David Croft asked where the school planned to park the money as they raise it. A bank account has not yet been created, but Ritz said she had consulted with Steven Bieniek, business manager for Ohio County Schools, to do so.

Bieniek said it would be a restricted account for the school, and that these were set up on a regular basis.

“I would love to see the playground approved,” Croft said.

He added community support had been a key component of the success of the playgrounds constructed in Ohio County Schools in recent years.

“I’m glad you’re doing this,” said board member Molly Aderholt told Ritz, noting how sad current photos of the blacktop playground look.

Board member Andy Garber, a former principal at Warwood Elementary School, raised money for a playground to happen at that school and noted “it’s not an easy task.”

“I just want to warn you and be prepared to put in some time and energy,” he told Ritz. “Beat the street … get some letters out.”

Board member Bernie Albertini asked if there would be any issues with site preparation. Ritz said a softer surface for the playground is being planned, though it comes with added cost and is part of the expected price.

“We are an elementary, and there will be falls,” she added.