State funding to support sports courts
VERMILION — Showse Park will receive $150,000 in state capital funding to support improvements to its active sports courts, including paving basketball and pickleball courts.
Mayor Russ Owens announced during his June 15 report to Vermilion City Council that the city had received confirmation of state grant funding for the park. In follow-up comments, Owens said the money came through the State Capital funds program and will support improvements at Showse Park.
Grant and project detalls
The grant also advances the next phase of a larger Showse Park revitalization effort that Council President Jeff Lucas has helped lead for several years.
Lucas has worked with Parks Director Mark Weisenberger, city leaders, donors, contractors and community partners on the multi-phase transformation of the park. Earlier phases included the health and fitness trail, playground improvements and the Veterans Memorial on the Mound.
The next phase has been envisioned as a sports complex that could include pickleball courts, basketball courts, cornhole, foursquare, exercise circles and other improvements.
Owens credited state Rep. Gayle Manning with helping secure the funding, saying her support extends beyond the park project to broader growth efforts in western Lorain County.
“Rep. Manning has been instrumental in not just securing this grant/funds for this particular park use, but for the entire West Side Lorain County growth initiative,” Owens said.
“Gayle Manning’s service and respected leadership has consistently supported future growth for Lorain County and its cities by providing state funds for targeted community programs and capital improvement initiatives that all benefit her constituents and their families,” Owens said.
For Showse Park, Owens said the grant is a direct example of outside funding helping move a local improvement forward.
“Being able to make Showse Park more attractive to both our Vermilion families and visitors by adding and improving its active sports courts is just huge,” Owens said. “Thanks to Rep. Manning’s efforts on behalf of all Vermilion. Let’s play ball.”
What’s next
A firm timeline has not yet been set for the Showse Park court improvements, Owens said.
Weisenberger will manage the construction project while working with the Showse Park committee. Owens said Weisenberger is expected to update the project schedule as details are finalized.
The grant moves the sports court phase closer to construction, but city officials still will need to work through scheduling, project details and coordination before the improvements begin.