DECATUR -- The city of Decatur received a bit of bad news Nov. 12 on the fate of one of its grant applications.
The city applied, in October, for a $150,000 grant from the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Blue and You Foundation for a new youth soccer field and walking trail for Veterans Park.
In a letter to the city of Decatur, the foundation denied the request for the grant to fund these projects. However, the foundation did leave the door open for the city to apply for a grant in 2016.
"I'm disappointed that the city didn't get the funding for this project," said Decatur Mayor Bob Tharp. "But we are not giving up on this project just yet. We will try and find other grants to help fund this project"
The city recently received a $15,000 grant from the Arkansas Rural Community Grant program on Oct. 12 to help fund the Veterans Park project. With the city's contribution to the matching grant, the project now has $30,000.
"We may have to give up on the walking trail for now," said Tharp. "But we will find a way to make the youth soccer field a reality."
During the recent Parks and Recreation Committee meeting Nov. 19, members discussed ways to build the soccer field with the existing funds. They researched the regulation-size soccer facilities required by youth programs. The size of the field is dependent on the age groups, beginning with ages 6 and 7 and concluding with age 14. The Parks Committee also looked for location to build the facility in the park.
Once the facility plans have been revised and sent to the Parks Committee for review and approval, they will be sent, with any recommendations, to the city council for final approval. Construction could begin on a youth soccer field as early as late spring or early summer of 2016 if the council approves a plan.
When completed, Decatur's youth soccer program will finally have a facility it can use to host home games and local soccer tournaments.
General News on 12/02/2015