CHESAPEAKE - Students of the new Chesapeake Elementary School may reap the benefits, but it was the host of volunteers who spent the days in the hot sun who made the playground a reality.

"The more help you have, the easier it is," volunteer Brett Hawthorne said as he and the other volunteers worked Saturday afternoon as temperatures soared. "You can never have too much help."

A new school year begins next Friday and parents and some staff members volunteered their time and hard work to make sure the new playground would be ready for students to "break in" when the school year begins.

"It's great for parents and community members to come out and build a playground for the kids," Principal Jack Finch said. "Especially, for a school that we are really (fortunate) to have."

Parent teacher organization president Becky Blair brought plenty of refreshments to keep the workers cool as they constructed the playground.

Blair's son will be starting kindergarten this year, and she said she know he will like the new colorful look.

"I know the kids are going to love it," she said.

Construction of the playground has been a community effort as many have helped and continue to help install the equipment.

Blair said that she, her husband and another parent volunteer had spent three nights at the site this week digging holes.

On Saturday afternoon, PTO husbands and volunteers Jim Bentley, Brett Hawthorne, Ron Saunders, Chuck Oldaker and Trent Saunders worked alongside Principal Jack Finch in the blazing heat - and they did it just for the students.