LCRA, Bluebonnet Co-op award $25,000 grant for community park upgrades

St. John Lutheran Church will improve playground equipment, add covered pavilion at popular New Ulm park

May 20, 2022

LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative representatives present a $25,000 grant to St. John Lutheran Church in New Ulm for new playground equipment. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Bonnie Schulz, church member; Kate Ramzinski, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Steve Thompson, New Ulm Chamber of Commerce president; Debra Kollman and Eli Kollman, church members; Robin Marek, church building committee member; Byron Balke, Bluebonnet director; Dale Kollman, church member; Bryan Haevischer, church council member; Douglas Polasek, church council president; Stanley Krebs, church building committee member; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; Becky Haevischer, church council member; Gerri Hanten, New Ulm Chamber of Commerce; Brenda Tonn, church member; Floyd Tonn, church building committee member; Emilie Canik, church council member; and Kyle Merten, Bluebonnet community representative, Brenham area.

AUSTIN COUNTY, Texas – With the support of a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, St. John Lutheran Church in New Ulm will upgrade playground equipment and make other improvements at its community park. The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $64,540 in matching funds from the church, will pay for a covered pavilion, new playground equipment, and wheelchair-accessible sidewalks and table areas. “Our church built this community park in the early 1990s,” said Bryan Haevischer, St. John Lutheran Church council member. “It’s outdated and badly needs to be upgraded. Getting a covered pavilion, new equipment and sidewalks will help the playground be used even more.” Haevischer said the church is responsible for maintaining the park, which has restrooms that are available to the public 24/7. He said the park is used every day, which is why he believes this renovation project is much needed and long overdue. “Receiving this grant made this project possible for our community, and I’m so excited to get started,” Haevischer said. “This park will soon be an even better place for people to take their children. It will give families a nice spot to get away during the day and spend time together.” The community grant is one of 36 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 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.

About Bluebonnet Electric CooperativeBluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 118,000 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 bluebonnet.coop and follow the co-op on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contacts

LCRA
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
[email protected]

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