LCRA, City of Weimar award $24,924 grant for electrical upgrades to Veterans Memorial Hall

Updated lights, outlets and electrical panel to improve the hall’s safety, promote greater use

May 15, 2023

LCRA and City of Weimar representatives present a $24,924 grant to Veterans Memorial Park of Weimar to upgrade the electrical and lighting systems at Veterans Memorial Hall. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured from left to right, in the front row, are: Donald Hoeinghaus, Veterans Memorial Park of Weimar board member; James Balcar, American Legion member; Erwin Kunz, Veterans Memorial Park president and chairman; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; Milton R. Koller, mayor; Julius Bartek, American Legion member; and Doug Beddingfield, Veterans Memorial Park board member. Back row, from left: Kate Ramzinski, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Don Clifton, American Legion member; Ray Adams, Veterans Memorial Park board member; Frank White, Veterans of Foreign Wars commander; Bill Clifford, John Soos and James Janda, American Legion members; and James Heinrich, Veterans Memorial Park treasurer.

WEIMAR, Texas – Veterans Memorial Park of Weimar soon will update the electrical and lighting systems in its community hall thanks to a $24,924 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Weimar. The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with more than $6,200 in matching funds, will allow the organization to update the electrical panel and rewire Veterans Memorial Hall. More electrical outlets will be installed, and the hall also will get new LED lights, which will help lower the facility’s utility bills. “Upgrading our electric efficiency will be a benefit to the Veterans Memorial Hall monthly,” said Doug Beddingfield, Veterans Memorial Park of Weimar board member. “Adding access to electrical outlets for patrons will hopefully be another step to add more appeal to our facility and show that our veterans are still working to make improvements and keep the facility updated for the community to enjoy.” Local nonprofits, including the volunteer fire department, Lions Club, church groups and youth sports teams, host fundraisers at the facility. The hall is available by reservation year-round. “People who rent the hall have asked for more outlets, and the new lighting will brighten everything,” said James Heinrich, Veterans Memorial Park of Weimar board treasurer. “These upgrades will benefit the community by making the hall even more appealing for family and business functions. Families rent the hall for all kinds of celebrations from quinceañeras to dinner parties.” The facility also is an emergency evacuation site for nearby schools and has been used as an emergency shelter during natural disasters. 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 Weimar 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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