LCRA awards $50,000 grant to renovate Boling Little League facility
New ADA-compliant restroom building will increase safety, accessibility
Oct. 26, 2022
Along with a matching contribution of $55,000 from the Boling Little League, the Community Development Partnership Program grant will allow the organization to tear down the existing restroom and replace it with one that complies with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and increases safety and accessibility.
“The existing restrooms are older and run-down and in constant need of repair,” said John Beeson, president of the Boling Little League. “The wood laminate floors are warped and the doors are damaged. We’re starting from scratch – new floors, doors, sinks, toilets and paper towel dispensers. We want to provide a better experience for the families that visit our fields five days a week February through May.”
Energy-efficient lighting and water-saving fixtures, as well as storage space for toiletries and cleaning supplies that are now kept in the concession area, are incorporated into the design of the new building. Beeson said adding a storage area in the restroom building will free up much-needed space in the concession building, which will allow the league to provide a wider variety of drink and food items to patrons.
LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said youth ball fields are at the heart of many Texas communities like Boling.
“The Boling Little League volunteers take pride in providing safe, clean facilities where families can come together to watch their kids and grandkids learn about teamwork and resilience through the great games of baseball and softball,” Wilson said. “LCRA is grateful for the opportunity to play a part in helping the organization upgrade facilities that will be enjoyed by generations to come.”
Participation in the league’s baseball and softball programs hit a record high last spring with 193 kids from ages 4 through 13. Beeson said he expects that growth to continue and said additional revenue from concession sales will help fund the Boling Little League’s college scholarship program for high school graduates.
“Our plan to renovate the restrooms has been in the works for a while, but this grant opportunity came along and it was like catching lightning in a bottle; it accelerated our timeline by at least a year,” Beeson said. “I am thankful for LCRA coming through in such a big way. I’m also thankful to my fellow Little League board members for their part in making this happen for our community.”
The community grant is one of 46 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations. For more information, visit lcra.org.
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