LCRA awards $24,996 grant to Coleman County Youth Activity Center for major renovations
Bill Franklin Center and Goree Expo Center to receive building upgrades
OCT. 29, 2024
COLEMAN, Texas – The Coleman County Youth Activity Center will upgrade restrooms, reseal concrete flooring and upgrade kitchen sinks at the Bill Franklin Center and Goree Expo Center, thanks to a $24,996 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The LCRA Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $9,779 in matching funds from the center, will fund improvements to modernize the facilities, making them more efficient, cost-effective and visitor friendly.
“The Bill Franklin Center and Goree Expo Center are approaching 20 years in age, and these upgrades will help us conserve resources while providing a better experience for our guests,” said Larry Robinson, president of the Coleman County Youth Activity Center. “We are grateful to LCRA for this grant, which will allow us to stretch our budget further and focus on delivering a welcoming gathering place for our community.”
In addition to serving as a free event space for youth activities, the Bill Franklin Event Center and Goree Expo Center are local landmarks that serve as a frequent meeting location for community events, weddings, parties and funerals. The facilities also serve as an emergency operations center during storms.
The restroom upgrades will include installing water-efficient toilets to help conserve water and reduce operational costs. The 20-year-old battery-operated fixtures will be replaced with newer, more reliable models. Additionally, a new three-compartment sink to enhance food service capabilities will be installed in the kitchen. The resealing of the heavily worn stained concrete floors in the main exhibit hall will help renew the space and enhance the venue’s aesthetic appeal for visitors.
The community grant is one of 37 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund eligible 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.
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.
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