Title
Resolution to Approve a Spark Grant Application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Grants Management for Improvements at the Buhr Park Ice Arena
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution approving the submission of a grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Grants Management (MDNRGM) for accessibility and sustainability improvements to the Buhr Park Ice Arena.
Grant Description:
The Michigan Spark Grants are a $65 million grant program to help local communities that want to create, renovate or redevelop public recreation. Administered by the DNR, Michigan Spark Grants will support projects that provide safe, accessible, public recreation facilities and spaces to improve people's health, introduce new recreation experiences, build on existing park infrastructure and make it easier for people to enjoy both indoor and outdoor recreation. Individual grant amounts - ranging from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $1 million - will be distributed in three rounds beginning in January of 2023.
Background:
The Buhr Park ice arena is an outdoor covered rink, and one of two ice arenas owned by the City Parks, the other being Veterans Memorial Park ice arena. The Buhr Park arena is open November through February (weather permitting) and offers public ice skating, drop-in hockey and rental hours, and provides locker rooms, vending machines, restrooms and skate rentals and sharpening services.
The facility is located in the southeast part of the city which is characterized by higher racial diversity and lower median incomes. It is located adjacent to the Hikone neighborhood which is one of the Ann Arbor Housing Commission public housing communities, as well as the Hikone Community Center operated by the Community Action Network which provides support to families in need.
The Buhr Park ice arena functions as a neighborhood gathering place providing outdoor recreation opportunities at low cost during ...
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