To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Jeff Brauer, Interim Parks and Recreation Director
Title
Discussion/Direction: Letter of Support for World Compass Academy School Play Yard Initiative Grant Application
Body
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Executive Summary
The Town of Castle Rock has received a request from the World Compass Academy to sponsor a School Play Yard Initiative Grant Application. This program is administered through the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) program of the Colorado Lottery and is competitive. Schools must partner with an eligible entity to construct projects on school grounds. Eligible entities include Cities, Counties, and Special Districts that receive Conservation Trust Fund monies. World Compass Academy is a new charter school in Castle Rock. Due to a very rainy spring, construction was delayed and the surplus construction budget, which was supposed to fund the playground was depleted. As a result, they now have a budget of only $7,000 to invest in the playground. Their plan is to purchase a few pieces of playground equipment as a Phase 1 playground, and then fund raise through the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) to secure the cash contribution for the GOCO grant.
The grant requires:
• Letter of Support from Town signed by October 12, 2015
• Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with World Compass Academy by April 13, 2016 (if selected to move on to construction)
• Town of Castle Rock serves as a GOCO applicant / grantee, and will be responsible for grant administration
• World Compass Academy serves as a partner
• The applicant and partner must provide 25% of the total project cost in matching funds
o That 25% must include 10% in cash, while the remaining 15% can be in kind contributions, cash or donations.
The grant is a two-step process. First, schools participate in a competitive grant process for professional design services (up to $7,000). Second, schools selected for those design services will compete for funds to construct their projects. Maximum grant is $100,000. Up to five projects statewide will be selected for funding.
The attached letter of support (Attachment A) is required to begin the grant process. If selected, World Compass Academy would complete the project design and then submit the design to GOCO for construction funding consideration. An Intergovernmental Agreement would be submitted to Council in April for consideration; if the project is approved by GOCO.
All GOCO grants are provided on a reimbursement basis. The projects must be constructed on/adjacent to school grounds. Projects must be designed by students and must include play elements and outdoor learning components. Funds can be used to build new school play yards and to enhance existing facilities. All school yards must be open to the public when school is not in session.
Staff is recommending that the Town support the grant application to help World Compass Academy better serve their students and the surrounding community.
Budget Impact
No budget impact.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends supporting the GOCO 2016 School Play Yard Grant Application for Design by World Compass Academy by signing Attachment A.
Proposed Motion
“I move to support the GOCO 2016 School Play Yard Grant Application for Design by World Compass Academy.”
Attachments
Attachment A Letter of Support to Great Outdoors Colorado
Attachment B GOCO 2016 School Play Yard Application for Design