Lander District Recreation Board grant application deadline approaches

By Joshua Scheer, reporter, county10.com

(Lander, Wyo.) – The Lander District Recreation Board is reminding all interested parties that grant applications are due by 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7.

The grants are available for nonprofits within Fremont County School District 1′s jurisdiction. The rec board is given authority by the school district to distribute a portion of the district’s mill levy for recreation nonprofits.

“Last year we gave $50,000 to the skate park,” board President Susan Benepe said.

She said 34 grants were given out by the district in 2012, totaling near $250,000. More than $300,000 had been requested.

Benepe explained that over the years the definition of recreation has expanded. The board has given grants to the International Climber’s Festival, Project Graduation, The Lander Children’s Museum, Lander Art Center and Injury Prevention Resource’s bike rodeos.

Applications may be picked up at the Lander Parks and Recreation Office at City Park or downloaded at the school district’s website or the city’s parks and rec website.

Completed applications should be turned in to the parks and rec office by 5 p.m. on Monday, or mailed to PO Box 1673 in Lander and be postmarked by 5 p.m. Applications will be reviewed by the board. On Jan. 22, applicants will be required to give 5-minute presentations on their projects, Benepe said. Grant winners will be selected during the board’s late February meeting.

Questions may be directed to Benepe at sbenepe@wyoming.com.