4 days ago
Grant could help Newton Recreation Center continue improvements
Officials at the Newton Recreation Center hope a grant will allow them to improve the growing facility.
The township supervisors agreed last week to apply for the state Greenway, Trails and Recreation Program grant on behalf of the center on Newton Ransom Boulevard. The money would be used to repave and add spaces to the parking lot, renovate the outside basketball court and add exercise equipment to the trail on the grounds, board Chair Terry Purcell said. They also hope to use the money to add two pickleball courts, she said.
Purcell estimates fixing the parking lot will cost $200,000, and it will cost about $50,000 to resurface the basketball courts. The supervisors agreed to apply for $250,000 in funding.
Purcell said the parking lot is the board's priority, with the growing number of people using the facility.
'We want to make sure we have adequate parking because our attendance is increasing over the past couple of years,' she said. 'We want to make sure that that necessary initial work is done in the parking area, because that'll just enhance the facility all the way around.'
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The playground and trail at the Newton Recreation Center pictured Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
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The Newton Recreation Center pictured Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
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The outside basketball court at the Newton Recreation Center Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The township supervisors agreed to apply for a grant on behalf of the center that would improve the court and parking lot. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
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The parking lot at the Newton Recreation Center pictured Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The township supervisors agreed to apply for a grant on behalf of the center that would improve the court and parking lot. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
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The playground and trail at the Newton Recreation Center pictured Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
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Purcell said they want to add pickleball courts in response to the growing interest in the sport at the center. A pickleball league plays at the center weekly.
If the center receives the funds, she hopes to use them for the parking lot and basketball court projects, which could start next year.
'They are our top two priorities,' Purcell said.
Constructed in 1939 as the township's school, the building has been operated by the township since the late 1990s. Municipal officials considered selling the building in 2023 but decided against doing so when a board was formed that year and began planning activities and carrying out improvements inside and outside the building.
The board last year was awarded a $250,000 state Department of Community and Economic Development grant to replace the windows and make improvements to the indoor gym, and $5,000 through Lackawanna County's Community Re-Invest Program to purchase outdoor equipment.
Purcell said the board is thrilled the township applied for the grant on its behalf as it will allow them to provide more opportunities for people of all ages.
'We're excited to have the opportunity open up for us so that we can start to expand on what our initial vision was,' she said.
