In a session just prior to the Feb. 8 regular meeting of the Laramie County School District No. 2 board of trustees, members of the LCSD2 recreation board approved more than $135,000 in grant funding to projects around eastern Laramie County.

At the onset of the meeting, Recreation Board chairwomen Patty Epler acknowledged the huge increase in requests from last year when the recreation board considered only three requests. This year, the recreation board had 12 requests for funding before them.

Much of the discussion in awarding the funding centered around projects that contained salaried positions.

"This is a one time shot of money and I’m very hesitant funding something that has on-going obligations," said trustee Tom Morgan.

Several of the trustees echoed Morgan’s sentiment, lowering their ranking of requests that contained salaried positions.

Also a key consideration of the trustees was how much the project served the larger good.

"I think the Albin walking project should be given higher consideration due to the fact that not only will students benefit but so will the entire community," said trustee Esther Davison.

In considering the projects, trustee Wynema Thompson was concerned the recreation board had to maintain a balance in their account or could they spend the entire fund.

"Are there any obligations in the by-laws that we have to maintain carry-over funds?" Thompson asked.

Epler noted that no such obligations existed and the board could spend the funds as they saw fit.

All told, six projects were funded, they include:

Burns Elementary/Burns Recreation/Burns High School for various exercise and physical activity equipment for youth programs, $8,200.

Eastern Laramie County 4-H Sports Program for shooting sports equipment for youth program, $3,000.

Albin Community Center for equipment and supplies for after school and pre-school youth program, $3,300

Albin Elementary School for student walking/wellness program for $1,075

Town of Pine Bluffs Recreation Department for PowerGame sports surface tennis court project for $59,909

Pine Bluffs Jr/Sr High School for $60,000 for new concession stand/restroom building for athletic complex. In addition to the $60,000 the recreation board earmarked the remaining cost of the project out of next year’s recreation board funds.