Committee asks staff to explore grants for Chabana Park improvements

The LaSalle County property committee discussed potential grant applications for Chabana Park on Feb. 13 after a site visit by member Ally, who recommended budgeting and applying for improvements including parking, accessible parking stalls, bathroom upgrades, a new baseball backstop, more shade trees and metal grills.

"If we get, like, a cost estimate, we can give that to NCICG because we're a member, and then they'll just be on the lookout for grants for us all the time," Ally said, urging the committee to prepare a prioritized list so regional grant‑seeking contractors can match opportunities. Parks staff said they would assemble a list of candidate grants and forward it to the NCICG contact and the committee.

Committee members discussed timing and deadlines and asked staff to return with cost estimates and a plan for whether grants should be pursued this fiscal year or in future cycles. No formal appropriation or motion to apply was made at the meeting; committee members assigned staff follow‑ups and asked for a report back when Don Ernet has investigated specific grant deadlines and eligibility.