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Request for Letters of Intent

 

The RCO is recommending to the Governor's Office that the Governor should include $3.5 million dollars in his proposed 2015-17 Capital Budget for a competitive grant funding program for the Youth Athletic Facilties (YAF) account. This is a WRPA priority!

The RCO is utilizing a "Letter of Intent" process to help size the need for and demand for the YAF competitive grant funding program. A letter of intent must be submitted in order to be eligible to apply for grant funds if the YAF program is approved by the 2015 legislature. The letters are due by Friday, August 22, 2014. This letter will "hold your place in line" for a funded grant program and you will be able to make a decision about an actual application next spring. The RCO notes that "Projects without a letter of intent on file will not be eligible."

How to Submit a Letter of Intent

 

The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is accepting letters of intent for the Youth and Community Outdoor Athletic Facilities program until 5:00 p.m. on August 22, 2014. You must submit a letter of intent in order to be eligible to apply for grant funds.   The best bet is to submit a letter of intent now and decide later whether you are ready to apply for a grant should funds become available.

Submit a letter of intent by completing the survey at this link.

Who can apply?

Cities, counties, park districts, non-profit sports organizations, and Native American tribes may apply.

What types of projects are eligible?

We are seeking projects that increase or maintain the capacity of an existing youth and community outdoor athletic facility for purposes of competitive play. The primary focus of the facility must be to serve people through the age of 18. The facility may accommodate adult play as a secondary compatible use. To achieve a multi-generational use, applicants should consider submitting proposals for facilities sized for adults but that primarily serve youth.  Facilities must be designed for barrier-free access. Facilities for professional or semi-professional athletic competition are not eligible.

Increasing the capacity of an existing facility may involve changing the facility from one type to another; improving the facility to extend the time or season of use; or expanding the physical size of a facility. Acquiring land is eligible if it is necessary to increase the capacity of the existing facility. Examples of increasing capacity are:

  • Adding lights to an existing facility to allow scheduling of evening games;
  • Changing an unused or underused tennis court to a high-demand basketball court;
  • Changing the field surface to allow more games per season or extend the number of seasons;
  • Expanding a youth-sized softball field to accommodate broader community uses; and
  • Reorienting a softball field so it can accommodate another athletic activity like soccer.

Maintaining the capacity of an existing facility retains the original design and capacity of the facility by bringing it to, or keeping it at, an accepted standard of safe use. Examples of maintaining capacity are:

  • Resurfacing an existing handball court or replacing an existing irrigation system;
  • Resurfacing an infield or seeding or installing new sod on an outfield;
  • Replacing or realigning a lighting system; and
  • Replacing fixtures like scoreboards, goals, fences, bases, nets, or lane markers.

Proposed projects must include work within the field of play such as playing surfaces, goals, nets, bases, fences, irrigation, drainage or field lighting. Support amenities such as scoreboards, bleachers, landscaping, restrooms, concession stands, and parking lots are eligible only if these items are part of a larger project that includes work within the field of play.

What is the maximum grant amount?

The maximum grant request amount is undetermined at this time, but we are considering a maximum amount of $250,000. We encourage you to request the amount you need while ensuring you provide a one-to-one matching share. For example, if you request $250,000 in grant funds, you must provide at least $250,000 in match.

When will funds be available?

There are no funds available at this time. The Recreation and Conservation Funding Board is considering requesting a capital appropriation from the State Legislature based on the letters of intent received. If funds are appropriated, applicants may submit a full application in the spring 2015. The Recreation and Conservation Funding Board would then approve grant awards in the fall 2015. Applicants must commit to the matching share at least one month before the board awards grants.

Do you have questions?

If you have questions about this solicitation, please contact your grants manager. Click here to find the grants manager assigned to your county or call us at (360) 902-3000.