LCRA awards $50,000 grant to Eagle Lake VFD for roof replacement, new lighting

Upgrades will help protect firefighters, station and equipment

June 8, 2023

LCRA representatives present a $50,000 grant to the Eagle Lake Volunteer Fire Department for a new roof and new lighting. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Todd Mascheck, firefighter; Charles “Chuck” Rogers, Colorado County emergency management coordinator; Carlos Gonzalez, firefighter; Larry Contreras, Eagle Lake City Council member; Greg Contreras, firefighter; Curtis Rose, second assistant fire chief; Jim Wood, Eagle Lake City Council member; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; Darrell Gertson, firefighter and Colorado County commissioner, Precinct 4; Darrell Stancik, fire chief; Charles “Tink” Jackson, Eagle Lake city manager; Timothy L. “Tim” Kelley, Eagle Lake mayor; Clint Krenek, firefighter; Erica Contreras, VFD ladies auxiliary president; Garrett Flores, Mark Contreras and Sam Castro, firefighters; Lina Ferguson, Eagle Lake city secretary; Clinton “Buddy” Mascheck, firefighter; Fisher Reynolds, LCRA chief of staff; and Kate Ramzinski, LCRA Regional Affairs representative.

EAGLE LAKE, Texas – The Eagle Lake Volunteer Fire Department will replace a dilapidated 50-year-old roof and install new LED lighting at its fire station with the help of a $50,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The LCRA Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $14,000 in matching funds from the Fire Department, will help replace an unrepairable metal roof to protect the station and equipment inside it from the elements, and provide a safer and healthier environment for firefighters.

By stopping leaks, the new roof will protect equipment and help prevent mold. The new roof and lighting also will improve energy efficiency at the building. When the temperature exceeds 100 degrees or falls below freezing, the new roof insulation will help keep temperatures in the space from reaching extremes.

“When you house millions of dollars worth of equipment, you want it to be out of the elements,” said Eagle Lake VFD Assistant Chief Kurt Sunderman. “We keep our equipment for 30 years or more and that isn’t possible if the equipment gets damaged due to water penetrating the building. All of our records and electronics are housed in the meeting room and this new roof will prevent water damage.”

By saving money that it would otherwise put toward replacing the roof, the department will be able to direct its limited funds to preserving its engines, equipment and supplies, and investing in improved equipment in the future.

“We have been trying to replace this roof for over five years and just couldn’t save enough money to reach the goal on our own due to inflation,” Sunderman said. “The City of Eagle Lake has been saving money for five years.”

LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said the new roof will benefit the community as it protects both specialized equipment and the firefighters who put their lives on the line to protect people and property in the area.

“Firefighters in Eagle Lake do so much to keep people safe,” Wilson said. “They are well trained and always willing to respond in emergencies, and it’s only right their equipment is protected from the elements and is ready to go when needed. LCRA is proud to provide this grant to help keep the Eagle Lake fire station in top condition.”

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 Goldthwaite 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.

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