Aspinwall officials hope to add pickleball courts and other sports upgrades to the borough’s recreation area through a state grant.

Council voted 6-0 March 8 to apply for $100,000 in state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources funds. Newly appointed Vice President Lara Voytko was absent.

Borough Manager Melissa O’Malley said Aspinwall must contribute $100,000, for a total of $200,000 toward renovations at the facility off of Field Avenue.

The borough match will be partially covered via fundraising campaign by a borough pickleball group.

“The grant will help the community to significantly upgrade the existing park,” said Marcia Cooper, councilwoman and recreation chair. “We have done a lot of work on a comprehensive plan. The proposed park upgrades reflect the community’s input on the best use of the park moving forward. To the extent the state can help us to offset those costs we would be remiss if we didn’t pursue those funds.”

Proposed scope of work includes four new pickleball courts, a multi-purpose court for basketball, soccer and dek hockey, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliant parking.

Rain gardens and additional tree plantings adjacent to the courts will help retain stormwater.

O’Malley said the current courts are very popular, and it was time to upgrade them for future use.

“The existing pickleball and multi-use court are heavily used, but are in desperate need of updating,” O’Malley said. “An extensive public process led to the preparation of a park master plan. As a walkable community, many of the users of this park walk from their homes to the park.”

The grant application is due April 15.

Borough officials said they hope to get a response from the state in three to six months.

Construction may take place some time next year should the grant be awarded.

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