HARRISBURG – Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) and state Reps. Abby Major (R-60) and Leslie Rossi (R-59) announced two recreation projects in Westmoreland County have received grant funding focused on underserved and small communities, and partnerships with recreation and conservation efforts.
“During the past few years, we’ve seen the importance of having available outdoor recreational opportunities for our communities,” said Pittman. “The projects funded by this money will not only benefit the people who live in East Vandergrift Borough and Ligonier Township, they will also help these communities attract more visitors as well as new residents.”
East Vandergrift Borough received $303,400 for the rehabilitation and further development of East Vandergrift Borough Park. The project work will include renovation of a basketball court and comfort station; construction of pickleball courts, a concessions facility, a boat ramp, horseshoe pits, pedestrian walkways, an access drive, a parking area and stormwater management measures; installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing, fencing, lighting and utilities; ADA access; landscaping; a project sign and other related site improvements.
“It’s important to have recreational opportunities readily available for area residents,” Major said. “Weather and use causes facilities and equipment to need repair. This grant will help improve the condition of the park and create new recreational choices for visitors. Pickleball is growing in popularity, and this addition will give people more options to keep active.”
Ligonier Township was awarded $50,000 to prepare a master site development plan and a swimming pool feasibility study for the approximately 8-acre Ligonier Beach.
“Ligonier is an area in my district where tradition as well as history are very dear to the residents and Ligonier Beach is a landmark,” said Rossi. “Securing this $50,000 grant is another positive example of what can be accomplished when community and state government leaders work together to achieve a shared objective.”
The grants are funded from multiple sources with the largest being federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money appropriated for recreation and conservation as part of the 2022-23 Pennsylvania state budget.
Contacts: Kate Eckhart Flessner (Pittman) kflessner@pasen.gov
Tracy Polovick (Major) Tpolovick@pahousegop.com
Ty McCauslin (Rossi) Tmccausl@pahousegop.com