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City staff to apply for $60,000 recreation grant and seek up to $200,000 from USTA for new tennis courts
Summary
Council signaled consensus for staff to pursue a $60,000 Recreation Joint Powers Board grant for new gym dividers and to apply to the USTA for up to $200,000 toward six new tennis courts at Washington Park.
City staff told the Casper City Council they will apply for two recreation grants and the council signaled support to proceed.
Recreation staff asked the council to authorize submission of a $60,000 grant application to the Recreation Joint Powers Board to cover roughly half of a $123,000 capital project to replace aging gym dividers at a city recreation center. Nick Whipps, the city’s recreation manager, said the current dividers are about 15 years old, have been evaluated by risk management and are a high capital priority to maintain safe, multiuse programming.
Separately, staff said they will reengage the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to pursue funding for a reconstruction project at Washington Park. Selena (staff) described the phase‑2 plan to build six new post‑tension tennis courts in the lower part of Washington Park where sand‑volleyball pits were previously located. The courts will replace aging city courts and consolidate play following prior conversions to pickleball and other uses. Staff asked permission to apply for up to $200,000 from USTA; staff said historical USTA awards were commonly 50% of a project but current indications suggested the association might offer more.
Council questions clarified that the proposed tennis courts are new construction (six courts), will be accessible to the public when not reserved for school activities, and that successful additional USTA funding would free city cash committed as match for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant. Recreation staff said two Washington Park courts had been converted to parking and two to pickleball in earlier phases; building new courts will replace consolidated public capacity.
Council direction: Council members indicated they were comfortable for staff to “go after” both grants and to proceed with grant applications and design procurement; no formal roll call vote was taken, but staff said they would move forward with applications and contracting processes.
Why it matters: If funded, the gym divider replacement and new courts would address safety and recreation capacity; USTA funding could reduce the city’s required local match and allow reallocation of city funds to other park amenities.
Next steps: Staff will submit the Recreation Joint Powers Board grant application, apply to USTA for up to $200,000, and return with procurement documents and grant award outcomes.
