Playhouses on display at Gallatin Valley Mall

By TED SULLIVAN Chronicle Staff Writer

When Eugene Graf IV decided to make a playhouse, he took a cue from one of the more popular children’s movies, “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

He created a playhouse that resembles a pirate ship, complete with two masts supporting the sails, a hatch and upper and lower decks.

“I wanted to do something different,” said Graf, owner of EG Construction. “‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ is such a hit with the kids, and they like being on a boat.”

The ship is one of a handful of playhouses that will be raffled off as part of the Southwest Montana Building Industry Association’s Playhouses on Parade tour, a fundraiser for local charities such Love INC, Montana Special Olympics and Childcare Connections. The playhouses will be displayed at the Gallatin Valley Mall this month. Raffle tickets cost $5 and are available at various outlets throughout Bozeman. Winners will be announced at the association’s home show, March 28-30 at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

Pro Builders and Big Sky Insulation made a more traditional playhouse for the fundraiser, said Judy Albrecht, co-owner of the construction company.

The house was handcrafted with wood and has windows, a large porch, interior and exterior lighting. It also has insulation, a sink, cupboards and magnetic paint on the interior walls.

“Kids love magnets,” Albrecht said. “I think playing with magnets is something that little kids love to do.”

Pro Builders got involved with the fundraiser because it wants to help charities such as the Special Olympics, she said.

“It’s a good cause and it is something that we thought we could contribute to,” Albrecht said. “We feel strongly that we want to contribute as much as we can.”

Nathan Albrecht, co-owner of Pro Builders, said his two children, ages 4 and 1, tested and approved of the playhouse.

“They loved it,” he said. “It was a lot of fun.”

Reader Comments