The Grosse Ile Community Recreation Commission on Oct. 2 announced a $650,000 grant from Wayne County to renovate the island pool house and provided updates on playground plans and efforts to add pickleball courts at Waters Edge.

Commission leaders and recreation staff said the project will keep the pool’s existing structure but gut and rebuild the interior, installing new windows, showers, toilets and an improved entrance. Recreation Director Zaid said the work will make doorways and ramps ADA-compliant and that contractors have tentatively scheduled construction to begin in mid-November and continue through the winter, with a goal of finishing by Memorial Day.

The commission also discussed earlier-stage plans for two pickleball courts at the Waters Edge site, where the current ice rink sits. Zaid told commissioners the recreation office is pursuing grant funding through the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and other organizations and that staff will complete grant applications and planning steps before construction. “We wanna have at least 2 courts in that area,” Zaid said during the meeting.

Commissioners provided an update on a funded playground project. The commission plans to purchase two parcels (one to be lot-split) on the former Fifth Third lot across from the Giant Grosse Ile market to create a rectangular, fenced park area. Commissioners said funding for the property acquisition and some equipment has been secured and that additional fundraisers will be used to expand equipment in the future. Staff noted the purchase will go before the island planning commission as part of the permitting process.

No formal motions or votes were taken on these capital projects at the Oct. 2 meeting; commissioners described them as active projects in design and permitting stages. Staff said they will coordinate construction timing with other capital work and bring detailed plans, schedules and any required approvals back to the commission in future meetings.

Commissioners and staff said the pool-house renovation and playground project aim to keep seasonal amenities open and compliant while adding capacity for new programs. The commission will provide further updates when grant awards, construction contracts or planning-permit dates are finalized.