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Fuunding awarded fr park communtiy center |
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Written by Voice Staff Report
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Friday, 17 July 2009 |
Progress at the McCreary County Park can move past dirt and grass seed to bricks and mortar with the announcement of project funding this week.
Progress at the McCreary County Park can move past dirt and grass seed to bricks and mortar with the announcement of project funding this week.
Governor Steve Beshear, along with the Department of Local Government, announced Wednesday the approval of a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to aid in development at the park. The funding will be coupled with other funds to construct a Multi-Generational Center at the site, the first piece in developing recreational facilities at the 100-acre site.
“This new facility will give families and friends a place to meet, promoting a healthy lifestyle and community involvement,” said Governor Beshear. “I’m proud to award this grant to assist with the construction of the new Multi-Generational Center that will benefit so many Kentuckians in McCreary and the surrounding counties.”
The multi-generational center will be an 8,000 square foot facility and serve as a senior citizens center, youth recreational facility as well as provide a meeting space for all local residents. The facility will also meet standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act and contain a kitchen, meeting space, exhibit hall and indoor walking track.
“The opening of this facility has been a highly anticipated event for our area,” McCreary County Judge-Executive Blaine Phillips said this week. “The Multi-Generational Center will be a productive part of the county’s recreational program and something the citizens of McCreary County can and will be proud of.”
Development of the 99-acre park site and the new multi-generational center has been supervised by the McCreary County Park Board, led by local businessman J.C. Egnew.
Egnew told The Voice with announcement of the funding the project can now be fast-tracked with work tentatively beginning within the next few months.
“We are very grateful to receive this grant,” Egnew said. “We already have an architect working on the project. We will keep focus on the basic needs and work toward having a multi-purpose facility.”
Egnew added $1 million was promised for the project two years ago, but delays in releasing a county financial audit prevented the release of the funds. This grant funding, along with $500,000 from a USDA Rural Development program, can allow the project to move forward.
Judge Phillips said park officials are working on other areas of the facility such as ball fields and hiking trails that will complement the multi-generational center. He added a long-term vision is to include an amphitheater and other amenities.
Egnew added the McCreary County Fair will be held on the park site next month and the park board is looking at other avenues and funding for development in order to have the park opened in 2010.
Kentucky’s CDBG program is managed by the Department for Local Government and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Kentucky’s U.S. Congressional leaders’ continued support of the CDBG program ensures the availability of funding in Kentucky and across the nation.
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