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Article on Government Funding for Ice Facilities_December 1976Here are two programs that might help certain communities who wish to construct an ice facility. This type of financing might be more difficult than some other routes. How closely your local officials watch and know the Washington scene will determine your chances for success. . How often is it suggested that federal funds should be sought for an ice facility? No doubt many who have been involved in raising funds for a community facility have wondered if "Uncle Sam" might be willing to help. Two programs are described here, that might help cer- tain communities who wish to construct an ice facility. The first step for the community group wishing to ob- tain federal funding for an ice facility is to establish a strong working relationship with those local officials who are directly involved with grants applications and adminis- tration. The knowledge and resources of these people in your community will often determine your chances for receiving money. State officials, U.S. Representatives and Senators (as well as their staff people) can also help. Some states have agencies that serve as clearinghouses for information about state and federal aids to communities. This is another possible avenue of investigation. Preparing an application for a federal grant requires considerable skill. There are at least three prominent dangers in this process: 1) Often the proposed project must be described in a specific manner, highlighting cer- tain uses over others in order to meet the criteria of the agency granting the funds. 2) Sometimes the project itself must be modified to meet the criteria. 3) The greatest danger of all is that, to get the money before it all disap- pears to other communities, you must begin pre-applica- lion procedures before any criteria on the allocation of funds have been published. Land and Water Conservation Fund The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation administers the Land and Water Conservation Fund which provides matching grants to State and local units of government for the ac- quisition and development of public outdoor and certain indoor recreation areas and facilities. To be eligible for as- sistance, projects must be in accord with the statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan, be sponsored by a governmental agency, and meet other State and Federal requirements. What is the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act'.' It is an Act established to provide funds to increase out- door recreation opportunities for the American people. The program provides for (1) acquisition of lands for federally administered recreation areas; and (2) matching grants for State recreation planning and State as well as local land acquisition and development. Land and Water Conservation Fund revenues are derived from the sale of Federal surplus real property, the Federal motorboat fuels tax, and Outer Continental Shelf mineral receipts. To be eligible for assistance, protects must be in accord with the statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan, be sponsored by a governmen',al agency, and meet other State and Federal requirements. Unfortunately, Fund assistance may not be used to provide areas and facilities needed to meet the basic physi- cal education and athletic program requirements of a school. However, the Bureau encourages the creation of multipurpose recreation areas which will be available for coordinated use by the general public and by public schools, including colleges and universities, as an effective means of meeting local outdoor recreation needs. Assist- ance from the Land and Water Conservation Fund pro- gram may be provided for projects located on school grounds provided that adequate arrangements are made for use by the general public. Persons interested in obtaining funds through the ON DECEMBER, 1976 Land and Water Conservation Fund, must first contact the state agency responsible for administering the Fund program at the State level for further information and details on application procedures if appropriate. Before applying for financial assistance from the Fund, an applicant must file a "notice of intention" with the State or areawide clearinghouse established in accordance with the Federal Office of Management and Budget Circu- lar A-95. The notice must be forwarded as early as possi- ble and must include a description of the proposed project and other information needed to permit the clearinghouse to circulate the notice to others interested in the proposal. The completed application must also be submitted for clearinghouse review prior to any further action. Addi- tional information on clearinghouse review procedures can be obtained from the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Regional Offices. Projects eligible for funding may vary from skating facilities to swimming pool complexes, and from inner city mini - parks to complete State parks. The purpose of this "notice of intention" is to provide area planning agencies with control over the public proj- ects in any given area. The Federal government wants to make sure that it is not funding two identical projects next door to each other. Project proposals must be submitted to the appropriate Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Regional Office through the State agency (or individual) authorized to represent the State for purposes of the Land and Water Conserva- tion Fund Act. Grants are made to the State through the State Liaison Officer, often referred to as the SLO. The SLO has the initial responsibility of determining project eligibility and priority for Fund assistance. For the name and address of the person or agency in your State, contact your Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Regional Office. Indoor facilities now eligible Until recently, indoor facilities have been ineligible for assistance under the Fund program. However, on Sep- tember 28, 1976 the President signed Public Law 94,422 which amended the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act to allow each State to use up to 10 percent of its an- nual apportionment to shelter swimming pools and ice rinks (Section 6(e) (2) ). Such sheltered facilities may be funded in areas where the severity of the climate and in- creased public use justifies the use of such funds. Criteria for making these determinations have not yet been for- mulated. About 60% of the total Fund provides grants to States and, through States, to their political subdivisions (cities, counties, towns, etc.) for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Project grants must be matched by not less than an equal amount of non -Federal funds. For a State or its political subdivisions to receive grants from the Fund, the State must develop a comprehensive outdoor recreation plan, and update and refine it on a con- tinuing basis. The Fund provides matching planning grants and technical assistance to States to help develop and update comprehensive outdoor recreation plans. The plan identifies capital investment priorities for acquiring, developing, and protecting all types of outdoor recreation resources within a State; it assures continuing opportunity for local units of government and private citizens to take part in their State's outdoor recreation and environmental planning programs; and it provides a practical tool for coordinating all State outdoor recreation and environ- mental conservation programs. Projects in accord with the State comprehensive out- door recreation needs identified in the plan are eligible for funding. They may vary from skating facilities to swim- ming pool complexes, and from inner city mini -parks to complete State parks. Assistance is available only for public projects. The participant (sponsoring State or local government agency) must agree to permanently dedicate projects to public recreation use, and assume respon- sibility for continuing operation and maintenance. Public Works Employment Act Another source of assistance is Title I of the Public Works Employment Act of 1976, This act authorizes grants to States or political subdivisions for local public works projects that will stimulate employment. The ap- propriate field office of the Economic Development Ad- ministration should be contacted for further information. In addition to these possibilities, you may contact the Department of Health, Education and Welfare for infor- mation on any programs administered by that agency which may assist in the construction of athletic -education facilities. C I I ' iT,311 They're Going yy r, Fiberglass from The Small Outdoor Rinks —For Cost Savings to the Large Coliseums —For Professional Uses t Tippmann FIBERGLASS Dasher Boards (NHL approved) improve and add dimension to the ever growing sport of hockey, with professional players relying more on accurate and consistent puck rebound (very characteristic of solid fiberglass dashers). 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