Sweet Home approves $35,000 fitness grant, commits roughly $185,000 match for outdoor court

The council voted 6‑1 to adopt Resolution No. 3 (2026), accepting a $35,000 grant from the National Fitness campaign and committing city matching funds to install an ADA‑accessible outdoor fitness court east of City Hall.

Staff told the council that selection into the 2026 Health Cities campaign carried a $35,000 award and that the city must formally commit within 30 days to retain eligibility. The city manager described the installation as a compact outdoor gym (roughly half a basketball court) with multiple steel stations to support strength, cardio, balance and mobility exercises and noted the project aligns with park plan priorities and equity goals. “Earlier this month, we applied for, to participate in the 2026 Health Cities campaign through the National Fitness campaign...we were selected for a $35,000 grant,” the city manager said.

Councilors asked about installation timing (staff said late summer/early fall), whether vendor representatives would attend a ribbon cutting, volunteer ambassador training and who would maintain the equipment; staff said manufacturers provide manuals and staff expects upkeep to be manageable though the asset must be added to the city’s plant inventory. One councilor questioned the city match—staff estimated the city’s required match at about $185,000 plus concrete pad costs—and raised insurance and local‑business competition concerns. The clerk recorded six votes in favor and one opposed; the motion to accept the grant and commit matching funds passed.