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Battle Creek schools win $40,000 National Fitness Campaign grant for proposed Spirit Field fitness court
Summary
The district received a $40,000 grant from the National Fitness Campaign to fund a public fitness court at Spirit Field; district officials said bond funds will cover remaining costs and facilities will manage installation and maintenance.
Battle Creek Public Schools announced a $40,000 grant from the National Fitness Campaign to support the installation of an outdoor fitness court at the Spirit Field site, which staff said would enhance downtown walkability and community wellness.
A staff presenter told the board the $40,000 grant is a portion of the total project cost and that prior bond funds will cover playground/recreation allocations and site work so the project will not draw from the district's general fund. "We get the $40,000 grant, which is great, but the overall cost is still not insignificant," the presenter said.
Staff described the planned site, the role of facilities in preparing a concrete pad and installing the equipment, and a tentative timeline: once approved, manufacture takes four to six weeks followed by installation; a ribbon cutting may be planned in the spring depending on site conditions. The district said facilities will handle ongoing maintenance and the district's insurance carrier will add a rider to cover liability.
Board members discussed ADA accessibility and noted some stations may not be usable for all disabilities. The presenter said the equipment has long warranties and is generally low maintenance. Staff also described community branding opportunities with local artists and plans to publicize the project as part of bond progress reporting.
Next steps
The board voted to advance the project; staff will finalize procurement and site preparation and include the project in bond progress communications to the public.
