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Thursday, October 30, 2003 Carter wins grant for soccer fields Recreation grants in Ashland, Flatwoods not funded By ALLEN BLAIR GRAYSON A Carter County recreation group won a $75,000 grant this week for fields on promised county-owned land. "It's so exciting that we can finally get started on something," said Dolph Fisher, president of the nonprofit Carter County Recreation Alliance Inc. The alliance will use 30 acres of county land — between the detention center and East Carter Middle School — for a sports park, specifically eight soccer fields. This grant will put the fields on the ground, Fisher said. It also means the alliance can use it to "show people we're getting somewhere," and ask for help on phases to come — walking trails, exercise areas, a larger "sports park," he said. "I'm pleased it came through. It will help the whole community," said Judge-Executive Charles Wallace, who thanked FIVCO for help on the grant, submitted through the county. "It's a small piece of the pie, but we'll keep adding to it," Wallace said. "I know there's more (grants) out there." The grant award, funded from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund administered by the state's Department for Local Government (DLG), was announced Monday. It was among 28 similar recreation projects across Kentucky, totaling about $1.4 million. The next round of recreation grants, for which cities and counties will likely have to apply again, comes the latter part of next year, officials said. At least three local governments' grant applications were among those not funded this time. Ashland applied for $75,000 to expand the ice-skating rink in Central Park to 120 feet by 60 feet. Grayson leaders wanted that much as well for concrete repairs and a new filtration system at its city pool, which closed two years ago. "I pushed for both but these were really competitive, and there were a lot of applications and not a big pot of money," said state Rep. Robin Webb, D-Grayson. Webb said she reminded state officials she had put seed money into Kentucky's budget, through coal severance dollars, for the pool and soccer fields projects. "I have assured the council I will make every effort to see a matching amount for the pool in the next state budget," she said. For soccer, the grant that was awarded means teams will be assured of a future place to play, Webb said. Kentucky Christian College has been gracious to offer space but the college will need it for expansion, she said. New fields will match with East Carter Middle's recreation facilities, and the district's plans for more there; as well as drive tournaments, which in turn drives tourism, she added. Also in this round of grants, Lewis County received $75,000 — to acquire land, construct a shelter and ballfields for the Vanceburg-Lewis County Recreation Park. In addition, Olive Hill received a grant award this week from a second DLG-administered fund. Just over $15,000 in federal Recreational Trails Program money will be used to install lighting, benches, trash cans and landscaping at the Raybourn Park Trail. ALLEN BLAIR can be reached at ablair@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2657.
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