By Jean Shanle
Meadville Tribune
August 23, 2016
CONNEAUT LAKE — The borough has received another $10,000 grant to be used toward the building of a playground at Fireman’s Beach.
Chad Waldschmidt, a member of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee (CLCDC), reported the PNC Foundation has awarded the grant to CLCDC for construction of a playground in conjunction with the revitalization plans for Fireman’s Beach.
Previously the CLCDC had received a $10,000 grant from BernzOmatic as a result of an essay competition in which the fifth and sixth graders at Conneaut Lake Middle School participated.
The funds from the PNC Foundation are specifically for pre-kindergarten ages. Hopefully more funding will be received for the playground, Waldschmidt said.
PNC Foundation grants are awarded to worthy nonprofit organizations that primarily focus on education programs, particularly early education initiatives that service low- and moderate-income children; economic development and arts and culture.
Vickie Lampe, marketing director for PNC Foundation, said PNC Foundation believes the five years of life are magical times when the world is full of wonder and responsibilities. She said it also is a time of opportunity when young minds begin absorbing knowledge that form the basis for all learning.
When the time comes for the playground to be constructed, the CLCDC will work with the beach committee in developing the design for the playground, Waldschmidt said. It is unknown at this time when the playground may be designed or constructed.