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Ephrata special meeting approves application for RCO youth athletic facility grant
Summary
At a special meeting, attendees approved Resolution 26-021RCO to apply for a Youth Athletic Facility grant; presenters outlined phase 1 construction, funding from Citi REIT dollars and the Paul Mosher Foundation, and a projected short-term cash-flow gap the organization will temporarily cover.
At a special meeting in Ephrata, attendees voted to approve Resolution 26-021RCO, an application for an RCO Youth Athletic Facility grant intended to fund phase 1 of a new sports complex.
The presenters — identified in the transcript as David and Josh — described phase 1 as site clearing, a concrete pad and parking work now underway. Josh said the phase-1 construction contract is about $527,000 and that Citi provided REIT funds this year for the phase ("600,000" in the transcript) while a $400,000 pledge from the Paul Mosher Foundation contributed additional funds; the presenters said the first $100,000 installment from that foundation has already been used.
Josh told the meeting, "As of right now, we have about $30,000 in change orders," and that the team had budgeted a $40,000 allowance for additional change orders. He said painting the pickleball courts is estimated at roughly $50,000 to $55,000 and that relocating the dog-park fence was budgeted at about $30,000, leaving an inter-phase carryover of roughly $47,000 into phase 2.
A committee member highlighted timing risks in the project's cash flow, noting that the RCO award is not final until the state budget pass (the presenters said July 1 is the budget date) and that the Paul Mosher Foundation's final installment is not due until a later year in the transcript. The presenter said that timing could create a projected negative position of about $52,000 in 2028 and that the organization may cover the gap with an interfund transfer or short-term internal loan until the final installment arrives.
The presenters described the proposed cover structure for the event center as a cost-effective "hay barn" style option, which they said carries a 20-year warranty and allows daylight; a heavier metal option with longer warranty was described as more expensive and reducing nighttime light transmission.
Committee members and staff also discussed procurement: local contractors submitted lower bids in this round, which speakers said helps keep costs down. After questions, a committee member moved to approve the resolution, another seconded, members voted "Aye" and the Chair announced the motion passed.
The action clears the way for staff to file the RCO application and continue project work on the schedule described at the meeting. The transcript does not record individual roll-call votes or a signed tally; the Chair announced the motion "passes."
