PHOTO PROVIDED An example of a fitness court, provided by the National Fitness Campaign, is pictured. The city is looking to potentially install a court in Hanna Park in the future.

LOCK HAVEN — Lock Haven City Council accepted a National Fitness Campaign grant for $175,000 — under the condition it is able to match these funds — with the goal of creating a fitness court studio at Hanna Park in 2026.

City Planner Abbey Roberts offered a rundown of the grant during council’s meeting on Monday night.”

Roberts said the city attempted the campaign in 2023-2024, but was unable to raise the funds for the match.

The goal is to raise $175,000 — with $30,000 already set aside from Community Development Block Grant funding — to create a fitness court in the park. Hanna Park is already slated for future renovations and improvements in the coming years.

“One side is permanent exercise equipment and the other side is just an open studio area for yoga and things of that nature,” Roberts explained.

She explained Hanna Park was chosen because of its popularity due to the pickleball courts in the space.

“We feel good about this year (donations) and we do already have $30,000 in CDBG funds specifically for the court,” she said.

Roberts explained the plan is to seek sponsorships for the remaining funds.

She noted that, if the match funds can’t be secured, council doesn’t have to move forward with the project.

The $30,000 already provided from the campaign — due to the CDBG match — was accepted in a 5-2 vote by council. Council members Jeff Brinker and Heather Alexander voted against the proposal.

Brinker said he felt now wasn’t the time to use funding for the court.

“I do not feel this is something that would be used in our community to the max. I think we could use our CDBG money in a different light since we have our restrictions from the loss of funds,” he said.

He also was skeptical about the $175,000 that would need to be raised through sponsorships to ensure the project moves forward.

He suggested funding be utilized to improve playground equipment instead.

“I don’t think it is wise for our money to be spent this way, even though I love fitness,” he said.

In other business, council:

— Approved the use of Triangle Park by the Clinton County United Way on Aug. 14 for a community event.

— Approved an extension of the agreement with Central Clinton County Water Filtration Authority through the end of the 2025 PennVEST debt service of the authority. Council Member Rick Conklin noted the agreement was already in place, this just put an end date on it. He added that the Suburban Water Authority, which is involved in the loan, previously agreed to the extension.

— Awarded a $45,000 commercial loan to Momoyo Otsu through the city’s Commercial Loan Program. Roberts said the approval is retroactive and would be fully OKed after the Commercial Loan Committee meets at a later date.

— Appointed Council Member Steve Stevenson as a voting delegate to the Pennsylvania Municipal League for its summit. Conklin will serve as an alternate.

— Council Member Tami Brannan expressed her excitement over Sunday’s installment of the Summer Concert Series which featured My Chemical Bromance — a 2000s cover band from Maryland. She thanked Community Life Director Kasey Campbell and the concert committee for its work.

“It was so great to see so many young people out there enjoying the summer concert series in the amphitheater,” Brannan said. “Good job bringing new and different bands to the area to expose us all to something different.”

Mayor Joel Long encouraged residents to consider seeing another one of the concerts.

“I honestly think this is one of the best line-ups we’ve had in several years. I was to all except the first,” he said. “Don’t miss out, this is some great entertainment.”

Council’s next meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m., in council chambers, 20 E. Church St., Lock Haven. It will also be streamed live on the city’s YouTube page.