Matching grants totaling $745,250 through the King County Youth Sports Facilities Grant program were announced today by King County Executive Dow Constantine.
“From upgrading the aquatic center in Enumclaw to providing access to kids of all abilities at a playground in Bellevue, these grants build stronger communities where young people can exercise, learn teamwork and just have fun,” said Executive Constantine. “These grants help advance equity and social justice by supporting playfields and sports facilities in neighborhoods that have been traditionally underserved.”
The Youth Sports Facilities Grant program evaluates projects based on community need, with an emphasis on projects in underserved areas with low- to moderate-income families. The program will leverage an additional $6 million for local parks and recreation projects through agreements with cities, schools and local community groups.
The grants, some as large as $75,000, must be matched by local community organizations and are administered by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks.
The program is funded and sustained through a one-fourth of 1 percent car-rental tax authorized by the Legislature in 1993. Funds can only be used for developing and constructing facilities, not for costs of maintenance or operations.
King County has awarded more than $12 million in grants since the program’s inception, creating more than 300 new or renovated youth sports facilitiesthroughout the county.
This program awards for 2015 are:
Auburn School District – Chinook Elementary Playground – $56,000
Bellevue Boys & Girls Club- Hidden Valley Ballfield – $36,000
Bellevue Parks – Inspiration Playground, Downtown Park – $75,000
Boys & Girls Clubs of King County – Rainier Vista Sports Field – $50,000
Enumclaw Parks – Enumclaw Aquatic Center – $55,000
I-CANN – South County Health Initiative – $75,000
Issaquah Parks – Central Park Sports Field – $75,000
Kent Parks – Kent Memorial Park Playground and Wiffleball Field – $75,000
Mercer Island Parks – South Mercer Playfields – $30,750
Renton Community Services – Cedar River Boathouse – $67,500
Seattle Public Schools – Orca School Playground – $75,000
Seattle Public Schools – Pathfinder School Playground – $75,000
Suburban cities and school districts are encouraged to partner with youth sports leagues and community organizations to apply for grants. Grant funds can be used for a variety of projects, including construction or rehabilitation of ball fields, playgrounds and sport courts, among others.
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