WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) -- A playground at Oakland Beach is being renovated in honor of a local coach who lost his life to a long illness last year.
Wrestling coach George Schmeider fell ill in mid-2012, with an illness that doctors could not diagnose. He was in a coma for months and passed away in December.
Saturday, friends and family gathered at Oakland Beach to watch the groundbreaking of what will become the George Schmeider Memorial Park.
An old basketball court has been demolished and the park will be renovated, with an unveiling set for late June.
"George meant so much to this community," said friend Gary Constantino. "We felt it would be perfect to name the park after him and bring a positive energy back to Oakland Beach."
Every bit of the park is being donated, including labor. More information on how you can donate to the park is available on a website set up in his name .