LCRA and Bandera Electric Cooperative representatives present a $25,000 grant to the Comfort Chamber of Commerce to renovate the Comfort Park pavilion. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Kurt Solis, BEC board member; Michael L. “Mike” Allen, LCRA Board member; Bruce Forey, BEC director of communications and marketing; Bill Hetherington, BEC chief executive officer; Lori A. Berger, LCRA Board member; Shirley Solis, Comfort Chamber of Commerce executive director; and Margaret Stone, Comfort Chamber of Commerce president.
COMFORT, Texas – The Comfort Park pavilion hasn’t had major updates since the 1980s, but that will change soon thanks to a $25,000 community development grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bandera Electric Cooperative.
The grant will help the Comfort Chamber of Commerce address long-needed repairs to keep the pavilion an attractive meeting spot for residents and visitors alike.
The chamber will use a $25,000 Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $29,140 in local matching contributions, to renovate the facility, including fixing a leaking roof and bringing the electrical system up to code.
“The Comfort Park and pavilion hosts some of our community’s most treasured events, such as Music in the Park and the July Fourth community celebration, which draw visitors not only from Comfort but the surrounding counties as well,” said Shirley Solis, executive director of the Comfort Chamber of Commerce. “During spring and fall, there might be one to two events a week at the pavilion, including communitywide events hosted by the library, school or local churches, and private gatherings such as graduation parties, family reunions and quinceañeras. The park and pavilion are available to everyone, and we want to keep them safe and functional.”
Repairs will include fixing a leaking roof and replacing old ceiling insulation that has begun falling, upgrading the electrical system, adding LED light fixtures and replacing broken ceiling fans. Additionally, the pavilion kitchen flooring and walk-in cooler will be updated.
“This gives us a huge head start on the needed upkeep of this community resource,” Solis said. “We’ve been saving for more than three years for the pavilion renovation, so leveraging grant funding that almost doubles our project budget overnight is a real gift.”
The community grant is one of a number of grants recently awarded through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. The program provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in LCRA’s wholesale electric and water service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bandera Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted July 1-31. More information is available at
lcra.org/cdpp.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to enhancing the lives of Texans through water stewardship, energy and community services. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934. For more information, visit
lcra.org.
Media Contact
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org
Source: LCRA Business News
