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Hopatcong council weighs $75,000 recreation grant: outdoor gym vs. court resurfacing
Summary
With a likely $75,000 recreation grant opportunity, Hopatcong council debated two options — an ADA-accessible outdoor gym (estimated $65,000) and resurfacing a second basketball court — and discussed next steps and timing for engineering drawings and grant submission.
Council members on Dec. 18 discussed a competitive recreation grant opportunity that typically awards about $75,000. One council member presented an ADA-accessible outdoor gym option priced at roughly $65,000 and said the gym would increase accessibility for senior exercise groups and general users. Administration and borough engineer John Ruskie told the council that resurfacing the second basketball court may be a more competitive, matchable project because the borough has already received a previous resurfacing grant for the adjacent court.
Members emphasized the tight timeline: the application process requires engineering drawings and specifications and may require a council resolution or identification of match funds before submission. The administrator and engineer said they can advance both concepts for near-complete applications and recommended either scheduling a special meeting or finalizing the selection at the council—s Jan. 15 meeting so the borough can meet grant deadlines.
Council members asked for more detailed scope, engineering cost estimates and a clear match-funding plan before directing the administration to submit a specific application. No formal resolution to apply was approved at the Dec. 18 meeting; staff were directed to complete application materials for both options so the governing body can choose before the deadline.
