Monterey Looking For Grant To Build New Pump Track

Monterey Aldermen agreed Monday night to apply for a Healthy Built Environment Grant to pay for a new pump track for the city.

Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary said a pump track is a small asphalt track with bumps and curves meant to be ridden by various kinds of skaters and cyclists. Cleary said there is a lot of community support for the project including an individual who is willing to donate a portion of his property to the city on the condition that it is used to build a pump track.

“Both schools are interested in this as well after speaking with them,” Cleary said. “SORBA’s also interested in this, utilizing for some biking opportunities. Of course, the individual that owns the property down there is very interested, and then One Bank’s also going to send a letter of support for the project as well.”

Cleary said the city had discussed the possibility of a pump track in the past but was unable to come up with the necessary funding. He said he is confident this plan would earn the city the grant.

“We can use up to a third of this property, but also all of it if need be,” Cleary said. “We’re trying to keep it as snug as we possibly can to keep the cost down.”

Cleary said the grant is worth $80,000 with no match to be paid by the city. Cleary said the grant is only available to certain communities based on social vulnerability indexes released by the Centers For Disease Control.

In other business, aldermen approved an addendum to double the budget for the July 5, 2024 fireworks show to a total of $30,000 thanks to a corporate sponsor that is paying for the extra $15,000.

Also, several citizens living on Wolf Pond Road came to the board to request assistance with their water pipes and meters as they get their water from Monterey.