If all goes as planned, the residents of Newcastle will have a home for the Farmers’ Market and other activities at Veterans Park.
Assistant City Manager Jeannette McNally said, “The City of Newcastle has received confirmation that we have received tentative approval from the Oklahoma Department of Tourism for a highly anticipated Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant through the Oklahoma Department of Tourism.”
The 50/50 matching grant for $1,125,000 will be used to construct the 60-foot by 200foot Veterans Park Pavilion, restrooms, parking, lighting, security cameras, trees, and irrigation. These projects are all part of an overall Veterans Park Master Plan, which is being completed in phases, according to Newcastle Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board chair Tiffany Elcyzyn.
The pavilion will be located on Garrett Drive just south of N.W. 16th Street, north of the Veterans Park Pond. The pavilion will provide a location for many public and private events, including the Farmer’s & Artisan’s Market. The total project cost is estimated at $2,250,000.
“The city’s cost share of the project will be paid for with monies allocated to a grant cost share fund established by city council members approximately four years ago, and possibly some in-kind matching,” McNally said.
A public hearing for the LWCF grant was held by the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board in Newcastle on September 15, 2022. The grant application for the project was submitted in September 2022.
“We’ve done a lot of waiting on the federal government,” Elcyzyn said. “But people are excited about the project.”
She said this is not a one-and-done project with the master plan. It is done in phases.
“I’m optimistic when we get grant funds, because it means we are one step closer to fulfilling the master plan,” Elcyzyn said. “When people see phases completed, there is more buy-in on these projects Elcyzyn said she wants to thank the city employees who worked on the grant.
“The City staff gets a pat on the back for the work they have done, and for going after these grants. They are really, really valuable,” Elcyzyn said. “We are so stoked. It takes the whole team to put these together.”
McNally added, There are additional steps needed to get final approval for funding from the National Park Service, so at this time the City does not have a timeline on when the project construction will begin.
