Pictured, from left to right, are: Bonnie Schulz, church member; Kate Ramzinski, LCRA regional affairs representative; Steve Thompson, New Ulm Chamber of Commerce president; Debra Kollman and Eli Kollman, church members; Robin Marek, church building committee member; Byron Balke, Bluebonnet Board Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Dale Kollman, church member; Bryan Haevischer, church council member; Douglas Polasek, church council president; Stanley Krebs, church building committee member; Margaret D. "Meg" Voelter, LCRA board member; Becky Haevischer, church council member; Gerri Hanten, New Ulm Chamber of Commerce; Brenda Tonn, church member; Floyd Tonn, church building committee member; Emilie Canik, church council member; and Kyle Merten, Bluebonnet Brenham area community representative.
With the support of a $25,000 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority, St. John Lutheran Church in New Ulm will upgrade playground equipment and make other improvements at its community park.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $64,540 in matching funds from the church, will pay for a covered pavilion, new playground equipment, and wheelchair-accessible sidewalks and table areas.
“Our church built this community park in the early 1990s,” said Bryan Haevischer, St. John Lutheran Church council member. “It’s outdated and badly needs to be upgraded. Getting a covered pavilion, new equipment and sidewalks will help the playground be used even more.”
Haevischer said the church is responsible for maintaining the park, which has restrooms that are available to the public 24/7.
He said the park is used every day, which is why he believes this renovation project is much needed and long overdue.
“Receiving this grant made this project possible for our community, and I’m so excited to get started,” Haevischer said. “This park will soon be an even better place for people to take their children. It will give families a nice spot to get away during the day and spend time together.”
The community grant is one of six grants being awarded by Bluebonnet and the LCRA 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. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative 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 here