The Town Council has approved a resolution authorizing town staff to submit a grant application to the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority.

Recreation Supervisor Rachael Goodwin told the council staff is working on a $316,800 proposal to reconstruct six tennis courts at Golden Eagle and Four Peaks parks. If the grant is approved the town’s portion of the cost would be one third, or $105,600.

Goodwin said the courts are in very poor condition and need to be replaced. She compared them to the condition of Saguaro Boulevard before reconstruction work began.

Councilman Alan Magazine asked whether the town was receiving any in-kind or only vocal support from community partners.

Goodwin said both the School District and the Boys & Girls Club have expressed support for the project, but have offered no financial support.

Goodwin said staff has concluded that there will be funding remaining in the town’s Capital Improvement Projects fund that had been allocated to the Fountain Park Phase 6 improvements that could be re-allocated to the tennis courts. The Fountain Park improvements are currently underway.

Goodwin said the grants would be awarded in October and staff should be back at the end of October asking the council to accept an award.

Asked her assessment of the town’s chances of receiving the grant, Goodwin said last year the Sports Authority awarded all grants except three, which were either withdrawn or unable to meet terms of the grant.