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Simpson County parks director seeks city and county support to pursue outdoor fitness court grant
Summary
Parks Director Lisa Deavers told the fiscal court the county can apply for a limited, first-come grant to build a 38x38 outdoor fitness court; she requested letters of support and said the county would need roughly $120,000 more if awarded even $30,000.
Lisa Deavers, Simpson County’s parks director, asked the fiscal court on Jan. 21 to provide a letter of support so the county can be considered for a competitive grant to build an outdoor fitness court near the Ag Building playground.
Deavers described the planned fitness pad as a 38-by-38-foot concrete surface covered with Regupol athletic flooring, which she said is low maintenance and carries a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty. She said the grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and estimated about five grants are awarded per state annually; distribution is expected to begin in April or May. "If awarded even $30,000," Deavers said, "we will still need to identify about $120,000 in additional funding to complete the project." She recommended siting the court near the playground so parents can watch children while using the facility.
Magistrates questioned the difference between a fitness court and a fitness studio. Deavers said a fitness court is simply a padded surface suitable for open-air classes such as yoga, while a fitness studio includes permanent exercise equipment and a QR code for guided sessions; cost estimates discussed at the meeting ranged around $100,000. Judge/Executive Mason Bames suggested adding a quarter-mile walking trail around the pad to reduce conflicts with pedestrians and vehicle traffic.
Magistrate Marty Chandler proposed using funds the court had set aside for park projects to help offset costs, but the court agreed to wait until it receives the grant’s letter-of-support requirements before committing county funds. No formal funding commitment was made during the meeting.
The court did not vote on the project; Deavers’ request at the Jan. 21 meeting was for letters of support to accompany the county’s grant application.
