Volunteers from Keel Infrastructure and other community groups, including the Panther Valley Blueprint Community team, pitched in for a Community Build at the Panther Valley Elementary School on Friday.

Volunteers helped put the final touches on the expanded playground behind the school in Nesquehoning. School officials hoped to open it for students as soon as next week.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome this new playground to our elementary school community,” Dr. Paula Jones, elementary principal, said.

“This space represents far more than new equipment,” she said. “It is a place where our students will build friendships, develop important social and physical skills and create lasting memories through play.”

The playground was originally built in 2018 with a grant from a national nonprofit and doubled in size thanks to the support of Keel, which committed $1 million in funding in a partnership with the school district.

The $120,000 playground expansion is one of the capital projects the business that owns the Panther Creek Cogeneration Plant off Dennison Road in Nesquehoning plans to support over the next three years.

The expanded playground will allow more students to enjoy the facility, as the original structure couldn’t accommodate all of the elementary students during recesses.

“We are grateful for the support that made this much-needed project possible and look forward to seeing our students enjoy a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for years to come,” Jones said.

An official ribbon cutting for the playground is set for May 19.