LCRA, PEC grants benefit Burnet playscape, Hoover Valley VFD
FROM STAFF REPORTS
BURNET — A $25,000 grant will brighten a lot of children’s faces who enjoy playing at Hamilton Creek Park in Burnet. The funds, from the Lower Colorado River Authority, will go to replace a 22-year-old playscape.
It was one of two grants the LCRA announced Nov. 16 that benefits two Highland Lakes communities.
The LCRA joined forces with Pedernales Electric Cooperative to award $11,120 to the Hoover Valley Volunteer Fire Department. The funds will allow the department to outfit one of its engines.
The LCRA made the contributions through its community development grant program.
In Burnet, city parks crews will remove the existing playscape. The LCRA grant will pay for an outside company to put in the new playscape and oversee the installation of the new engineered wood fiber surfacing. The current playscape uses sand for its surface.
“We appreciate the opportunity to improve our community LCRA is giving us with this grant,” Burnet City Manager David Vaughn said. “The current playscape has been a popular destination for residents of Burnet and beyond. However, it was built more than 22 years ago and no longer meets safety and accessibility standards. This grant will allow us to replace it with one that will continue to enhance the lives of the children of our community for many years to come.”
The PEC and LCRA grant to the Hoover Valley VFD will allow the department to purchase equipment for the pumper truck it recently acquired. This includes getting hoses, adapters, nozzles, an automated external defibrillator and a gas monitor.
“We’re very grateful to the LCRA for providing this grant to assist the Hoover Valley Volunteer Fire Department with the purchase of much-needed fire and rescue equipment,” said Pete Fuselier, the department’s vice president. “We are one of the only two fire districts in Burnet County not funded with an emergency services district tax, so grants, donations and individual contributions are the largest part of our financial support.”
The department serves a 25-square-mile area and responds to about 250 calls a year, a number that continues to climb.
“This equipment will enable the fire department to more effectively serve the area in fire protection and rescue,” Fuselier added.
The LCRA is accepting applications for the next round of grants. The deadline is Jan. 31, 2016. Go to lcra.org/cdpp for more information.
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