By LOIS THOMSON

Ben Avon Borough is seeking grant money to start the next phase of improvements on Avon Park.

Council president Lloyd Corder said at Tuesday's meeting that he wanted the borough to apply for a grant now because he did not believe funds will be available in the coming years. The money would be put to use to remove part of the tennis courts and put a surface on the rest that could have multiple purposes, i.e., for tennis, basketball, dek hockey.

The question also came up of paving the entrance to the park at the Perrysville entrance, along with the parking lot. Corder said Ohio Township has paving equipment and the borough would like to get a quote from them to do the job. However, borough engineer Ed McGee said the price would only include a top surface, and not milling and other facets that have to be done, so any quote would not be the total amount.

Council member Judy Konitsney commented that Ben Avon has roads that need to be paved before the park entrance is. Rob Galbraith pointed out that paving would help to make the park more attractive and would encourage people to use it.

Ben Avon resident Ephraim Zimmerman offered to apply for a DCNR (Department of Conservation and National Resources) grant for the borough. He also summarized some of the work that has already been done in the park, including having playground equipment installed. In addition, the borough is using money this year from a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) to finish work on the walking path that was begun by Kilbuck Township with a grant it received last year, and to purchase such items as ADA-compliant picnic tables and trash cans.

Council voted to have Zimmerman prepare a grant application. Konitsney had the dissenting vote.