West Allis police investigate fire at playground of the Franklin Fieldhouse

 

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) — Officials from the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District are disappointed after a fire at a community playground last week.

Police think the fire was intentional.

The playground is next to the Franklin Fieldhouse on National Avenue and S. 86th Street. It's property of the WAWM district.

"Kids in the area, the community, use the playground - certainly basketball courts. It's kind of a community hub for our school district," said Aaron Norris, assistant superintendent of the WAWM School District.

Yellow tape and high fencing now surround the playground after a fire Thursday in broad daylight.

West Allis police say it's being investigated as arson.

"I was obviously like, very, very taken back," Norris said. "We have kids and families that use this, and it's just really unfortunate they have to reap the negative consequences of someone's decision."

He said playgrounds can be expensive, anywhere from $200,000 to $400,000.

Although they have insurance, replacing it will take money out of the district's pocket.

"These are things that, as a school district, we budget for, but at the end of the day, it could be $50,000 as a deductible we have to pay," Norris explained.

It's more than just financial loss - it's a loss for kids in the neighborhood.

"We'll have to work through what other resources we can offer the community in the meantime," Norris said. "It might be six months before we even have a plan in place for what could happen here."

When they do rebuild, Norris said it will be a community effort.

"We'll invite people to come in if they want to be a part of what this can be," he explained. "Let the community help craft what it is, because ultimately they're the ones that use it."

Norris said there isn't much the district can do right now, as it is still an active police investigation.

Once they're able to get access to the space, they can start cleaning up and planning for the future.