It’s a kid’s dream come true, and just in time for summer’a huge playhouse with real doors and windows, a front porch and lots of room to move around.
In fact, the Victorian playhouse to be raffled by Clarkston SCAMP in early June was modeled after the downtown Clarkston home of Terry and Steve Coventry.
‘I’m not sure why they chose our home above all the others,? said Terry Coventry, noting the city is home to many beautiful historic homes. ‘But I think it’s great. This house has a lot of history, and we feel like we’re the guardians of that history while we’re here.?
The playhouse measures approximately 16 feet long, 10 feet wide and nearly 12 feet tall.
Only 250 tickets will be sold at $100 each in the playhouse raffle, and Coventry plans to buy at least one.
‘It’s so cute,? said Coventry. ‘Our grandchildren already have half a stake in it. They’re insisting we buy tickets.?
The project was planned in celebration of the SCAMP Home Tour 25th anniversary, which takes place June 2-3.
SCAMP is a five-week summer day camp for children and young adults with special needs, and the tour of 10 historic area homes is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.
And, for the first time in about 15 years, the tour will include the Coventry’s home.
Originally built around 1876 near Dixie Highway and White Lake Road, the home once housed a retail store’where many local people would register for wedding gifts.
The house was later moved to its current location on Main Street, but old-timers still remember the store.
‘We still have people approach us and say ‘Oh, you’re the couple who bought the old Boothby house,?? Coventry said. ‘I think it will always be the Boothby house.?
After much discussion, SCAMP planners decided the playhouse will be painted the same color as the real house’pink.
Duane Olds, construction technology instructor at Oakland Technical Campus on Big Lake Road in Springfield Township is in charge of construction.
The biggest challenge, he said, will be moving the playhouse from OTC to its new location.
‘In anticipation of that we tried to build the house so it would come apart in two sections,? he said. ‘Because of the height, final construction will take place on site.?
The original design included a functional loft’with a ladder’that ultimately had to be cut out for practicality’at 14 feet, the house was just too tall.
A total of 28 students are enrolled in the first year construction class, and all have worked on the project at one point or another.
‘They’re learning how things go together, how to build from a blueprint, and getting experience with power tools,? he said. ‘They’re also learning about teamwork.?
Clarkston Medical Group donated $5,000 for all supplies, said Donna Clancy, SCAMP spokesperson.
Knowing the structure’s large size might leave potential ticket holders wondering what to do with the house should they win, the group approached the city of Clarkston seeking permission to place the house in Depot Park, should the winner choose.
‘We have tentative approval from the planning commission,? said City Manager Art Pappas. ‘But we’re still waiting to hear back from the city planner, the engineer and watershed group. We don’t know for sure.?
With any luck, alternative placement won’t be necessary, and some local kid will be the envy of the neighborhood this summer.
The winner will be announced during the SCAMP Home Tour Patron’s Night at the Oakhurst Golf and Country Club Sat., June 2.
Those interested in purchasing tickets can call the SCAMP office at 248-620-1882.