Council accepts GameTime 2025 playground grant; discounts cover up to $100,000

East Point — The City Council on July 21 voted to accept a GameTime 2025 Community Champion playground grant that provides tiered discounts on playground equipment, up to $100,000, for purchases placed by Oct. 17 and delivered by the end of the year.

The grant matters for upcoming park upgrades at Sumner, Colonial Hills Unity and Bridal Park, and staff said the grant could also support an outdoor fitness park proposed for Sykes Park.

"It's a $100,000 match grant through Game Time," the Parks and Recreation Director said, explaining that the company applies discounts to quotes rather than requiring a traditional cash match. He described the program as tiered: the more expensive systems get a 50% discount, and equipment in the $25,000-to-$75,000 range is discounted about 40%. Orders must be placed by Oct. 17 and delivered by the end of the year.

Councilwoman Martin Rogers moved to accept the grant with matching funds up to $100,000; the motion passed. Council members asked whether the city needed to provide upfront cash; the director said GameTime applies the discount on the vendor quote and it is not the city's typical cash-match obligation.

Staff said the grant would expand capital funds already approved for playground upgrades and that further product selection and procurement steps would follow the acceptance of the grant.