LCRA, City of Bellville award $50,000 grant to Bellville Little League for new lighting

New steel poles, LED lights will improve safety and lower operating costs at ball field

June 8, 2023

Representatives from LCRA and the City of Bellville present a $50,000 grant to Bellville Little League for new lighting. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Jordan Luera, league director; Kate Ramzinski, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Jason Krumrey, league director; Garrett Dornon, league president and City of Bellville alderman, Position 5; Grant Lischka, league vice president and treasurer of softball; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; Clint Buenger, league vice president; Shawn Jackson, Bellville city administrator; Dianna Grobe, senior administrative assistant to Austin County Judge Tim Lapham; Fisher Reynolds, LCRA chief of staff; Al Woodruff, league director and industry representative; and Treysen “Coke” Flisowski, league director and supervisor of umpires.

BELLVILLE, Texas – Bellville Little League will install new lights at its main baseball field, thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and City of Bellville. The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $31,950 in matching funds from the league, will enable the league to replace an outdated and unsafe lighting system with new steel poles and LED lights. “The older lights are not as energy efficient, and it’s going to get to a point where they are not going to meet Little League standards,” said Garrett Dornon, president of Bellville Little League. “We’re constantly replacing bulbs and ballasts, and the cost when you kick all these lights on is starting to eat us up a little bit.” Dornon noted that safety and providing a good experience for over 500 local players and visiting teams are the league’s top priorities. “Until you go play at other fields, you don’t realize how dark our older lighting is compared to some of the newer facilities,” Dornon said. “Little League teams include players of many different skill levels, and some of those dark corners can get unsafe.” The league, which maintains its facilities through a strong volunteer network, keeps its fields unlocked and registration fees low in order to make baseball and softball available to as many children in the area as possible. Though it was competing against leagues with paid employees and funding from tax revenues, the Bellville team won the 2022 Texas Turfgrass Association Baseball Field of the Year honor and was proud to be the only recipient that did not nominate itself for the award. The new, cost-efficient lighting will allow the league to continue offering affordable, high-quality sports experiences. LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said Little League plays an important role in the community by helping build more than sports camaraderie. “Youth sports organizations foster the development of leadership and collaborative qualities that benefit young people not only on the field, but as they move through life,” Wilson said. “Leagues like Bellville Little League take that responsibility seriously, and we’re proud to support them and their mission.” In addition, Wilson said the Bellville organization has a positive economic impact on the area. “The benefits of Little League to an area don’t stop when the final out is called,” Wilson said. “Tournaments can bring in thousands of out-of-town visitors who eat at local restaurants and shop at local stores. That sort of economic impact is notable.’’ Dornon said the league is thrilled to receive the grant and to continue playing a role in the economic development of the Bellville area. “A lot of people will go out to eat before or after games or go grocery shopping here,” Dornan said. “Having a big, vibrant league is very important to the City of Bellville and we intend to keep growing.” The community grant is one of 34 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. The City of Bellville is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program. Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July. 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 fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations. For more information, visit lcra.org.

Media Contact
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
[email protected]