Cleveland Community Center asks county for increased annual support, seeks matching funds for trail and playground grant

David Thomas, who identified himself as mayor of the Cleveland Community Center board, asked the Washington County Board of Supervisors to increase the center’s annual county allocation and to consider matching funds if a private grant is awarded to build a half-mile walking trail and replace playground equipment.

Thomas said the center’s county funding has been flat “for about 8 or 10 years at about $4,400 a year” and that current operating costs have increased as the center averages roughly an event a week and now hosts pickleball courts. He asked the board to consider raising the county allocation to $8,000 annually.

The center has applied to the Wellspring Foundation for grant support. Thomas said the total project value is $62,800 for the trail and $32,000 for playground equipment; the combined grant application value listed in his remarks was $99,039. He said the center can contribute in-kind work (donated shale for a trail base and volunteer labor to clear the route) and estimated the community will need to provide roughly $40,000; he said the center requested $45,000 through the budget process but that request was not positively reported out. Thomas asked the board to consider matching “some portion” of the community’s needed contribution if the Wellspring grant is approved.

Board members asked clarifying questions and thanked the speakers for their service. No vote was taken on this funding request; the item was presented during the statutory public hearing on the recommended operating budget and will be considered further during upcoming budget work sessions.

Ending: Thomas said the center is averaging increased use and that the project would target older adults with an accessible trail; he asked the board to consider county matching when the grant outcome is known.