LCRA, Bluebonnet Electric Co-op award $25,000 grant for upgrades to basketball court and playground

Rosanky Christian Academy will install playscape shade structure, new lighting at community basketball court

Nov. 2, 2023

LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative representatives present a $25,000 grant to the Rosanky Baptist Church for upgrades to a community playscape and basketball court at the Rosanky Christian Academy. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: JR Regalado, school principal; Josh Coy, Bluebonnet community representative, Bastrop area; Elaine Fawcett, teacher; Wesley Brinkmeyer, Bluebonnet community development manager; Rhonda Lock, teacher; Matthew L. “Matt” Arthur, LCRA Board member; Haley Muniz, teacher; Fisher Reynolds, LCRA chief of staff; State Rep. Stan Gerdes; Phil Wilson, LCRA general manager; Michael L. “Mike” Allen, Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter and Robert “Bobby” Lewis, LCRA Board members; Debbi Goertz, Bluebonnet director, District 3; Roderick Emanuel, Bluebonnet board vice president; Samantha Medina, grant writer and fundraising chair; Nicole Fondulis, teacher’s aide; Jeanette Cowan, assistant principal and teacher; Tori Rizk, teacher’s aide; Annelisa Briggs, physical education instructor; Rick Arnic, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Sarah Voigt, director of enrollment and records; and Daniel Bellamy, teacher.

BASTROP COUNTY, Texas – An outdoor community playscape and basketball court at Rosanky Christian Academy soon will get new shade, lighting and other upgrades, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative. The Community Development Partnership Program grant to the Rosanky Baptist Church, along with almost $8,500 in matching funds from the church, will enable the school to install a shade structure over the playscape, and add new lighting and a water fountain at the basketball pavilion.“We’ve known for a while that the area around our basketball pavilion and playground needed upgrades, including efficient lighting, appropriate shade and water fountains,” said JR Regalado, school principal. “Many times, kids and families stayed away from the playground during the day because it was in direct sunlight. The upgrades will provide some relief from the Texas heat.”The school grounds and playscape are popular outdoor spaces for the community, and the basketball court is the only one in Rosanky open to the public. It is available after school and on the weekends until 9 p.m., but the lack of lighting limits use of the court once it gets dark.“With the upgrades, our community will have improved access to the playground and pavilion,” Regalado said. “This grant is important because it will provide a safer area that is more accessible for the community.”LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said LCRA is proud to support the project, which will increase the availability of outdoor activities in the Rosanky area. “Having a place to gather, play and participate in physical activity is so important for a community,” Wilson said. “Both young people and older folks benefit from being active, and these upgrades will make it easier to get outside and have some fun.” Wilson said the improvements will help support the health and well-being of Rosanky residents and the surrounding areas. “We know being in the midday sun can be dangerous in the summer, so this will let kids have a cooler place to play,” he said. “We also know not everyone can get to a basketball court before dark, and having lights provides a safer and more accessible environment for those who want to play a little ball even after the sun goes down.” The community grant is one of 45 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. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative 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 January. 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.

About Bluebonnet
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 128,000 meters and owns and maintains 12,000 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 Central Texas counties. Bluebonnet’s service area stretches from Travis County to Washington County, and from Milam County to Gonzales County. For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, go to http://bluebonnet.coop and follow the co-op on Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter.

Media contacts
LCRA: Clara Tuma 512–578–3292
[email protected]

Bluebonnet: Will Holford 512-332-7955
[email protected]