Chelan seeks $25,000 grant for park restroom security upgrades

CHELAN — The city of Chelan will apply for a $25,000 grant to help fund security upgrades in public parks and facilities, including cameras and improved door locks for restrooms.

Parks and Recreation Director Audrey Cooper said the funding, offered through the Washington Cities Insurance Authority’s risk reduction grant program, would support a project that is already included in the city’s capital plan for this year.

“We’re preparing an application for $25,000 that would go towards a security project that is one of the citywide capital projects this year,” Cooper told the council.

The parks portion of the project includes installing cameras and upgraded locking systems at public restrooms and other public-facing facilities.

“The grant requirements really closely align to the work that we’re doing with this project, so we do believe we are going to be competitive for this grant,” she said.

Cooper was optimistic about the outcome of the process, saying “It does not require a match as well to receive the grant, and any grant money that is received has to be spent within this calendar year, and since we already have a project on the books for this year, it will be very easy to execute one if we are selected for it.”

That brings the work in quickly and at no additional cost to taxpayers, since no city match is required and the larger project list is already underway.

Council members noted the project follows earlier public requests for improved security at park facilities.

The council voted to authorize the grant application.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media