Serving Franklin County, WA
Serving Franklin County, WA
New futsal court, spray park planned
OTHELLO – Kiwanis Park will benefit from two grants approved by the state Recreation and Conservation Office.
The agency has awarded $500,000 to add a water park and renovate trails. A second grant of $350,000 was awarded to build a futsal court.
The funds will be administered through the city.
The first grant will allow the city to build the water park, renovate walking trails and add lights to the park in an effort to make it more family-oriented.
The water park, being called a spray park, will include amenities spraying city water.
“The spray park, which will be designed primarily for children 12 and younger, will be a welcome cooling center during Othello’s hot summers,” the grant announcement said.
The lights will also improve safety for evening and night park use.
“Installing lights throughout the park will improve security, address a significant graffiti problem and extend the useable hours for activities,” the announcement said.
The walkways in the park were originally built in the 1970s and are deteriorating, officials said. So, funds will be set aside to resurface the pathways.
Putting a new surface on them will allow for wheelchair, stroller, bike and skateboard use.
The second grant is earmarked for construction of a futsal court.
Futsal is a soccer-styled game played on a hard court, with teams of 2-5 players, including a goalie.
The court construction will also include money to renovate an adjacent restroom and construct a sidewalk that will like the futsal court to pedestrian trails.
“Futsal methods are excellent training techniques for improving soccer skills,” the grant award announcement said, noting it’s a Hispanic game.
Officials expect the court to be used by children ages 4-18.
The city is planning to offer a summer youth futsal league next year.
“The court also will be open for club team and adult league tournaments, scrimmages, practices, off-season conditioning and recreational play,” officials said.
Roger Harnack is the co-owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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