The Alpena County Youth and Recreation Committee is recommending nearly $602,000 in grants for 24 local projects in 2027, with the largest single award aimed at keeping the Alpena County Plaza Pool operating.
The committee’s proposed package totals $601,956, plus a separate $75,000 contingency fund for mini-grants. The recommendations will go to the Alpena County Board of Commissioners for approval on Oct. 27. If commissioners adopt the list, the funded work would take place during the 2027 calendar year.
The committee’s recommendations follow an August vote to renew a half-mill property tax for four years. First approved in 2010, the levy supports youth and recreation programs and improvements to facilities open to county residents.
Pool grant described as essential to keeping facility open
The Alpena County Plaza Pool is recommended for $100,000 in operating support. Committee Chairman Tony Suszek said the award is the highest-rated request and that the pool could close without it.
“The pool would probably close if they didn't receive the $100,000 from the Youth and Recreation Committee,” Suszek said.
The indoor pool at Alpena High School has depended on the millage, county support and fundraising. It provides swimming lessons for children and year-round exercise for residents, making it a significant part of the county’s recreation network during months when outdoor parks cannot be used.
Additional water-recreation funding includes $11,040 for a Safety, Splash and Swim program and $12,437 to the Alpena Streamline Club for replacement flags and lane lines. Together with the pool’s operating award, those recommendations exceed $123,000.
Suszek said the committee’s tax revenue is close to the amount recommended for distribution.
“The millage generates about $679,000 a year so this is very close,” Suszek said.
The committee received requests totaling $691,780 before the mini-grant contingency was included. Suszek said requests have exceeded $1 million in some years, and any surplus may be saved for years when demand is higher.
Aplex would receive largest combined allocation
The Aplex Community Center would receive the most funding of any single organization, with three grants totaling $112,400. The proposed projects include $71,000 to convert tennis courts to pickleball, $21,400 for a golf simulator, and $20,000 for a special-needs prom and SNAP program.
Other recommended capital projects include $42,232 for Hubbard Lake basketball courts in Ossineke Township and $35,200 for an outdoor court at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School. The broader list includes a volunteer-field backstop, a merry-go-round at Sunken Lake County Park, a McRae Park ice rink supported through the Lions Club of Alpena Memorial Fund, hockey gear and pool equipment.
The committee said it favors projects that provide lasting improvements rather than benefits limited to one year.
“We like these because they are long lasting and not just programming for a year,” Suszek said.
Funding would also support sports, arts and youth programs
Programming awards make up a substantial part of the recommendations. Michigan State University Extension is proposed for $67,905 for children’s and youth programs. The Boys & Girls Club would receive $33,000.
The Alpena Hockey Association is recommended for three grants totaling $41,702 for reducing player costs, Battle of the Bay tournaments and equipment. Alpena Huron Shore Baseball & Softball would receive $15,000 for registration assistance and $20,500 for a backstop.
Alpena Public Schools is recommended for $25,000 for KAPUT activities and $10,500 for robotics. Northeast Michigan Center for the Arts would receive $27,250 for arts and Food for Fuel programs. Smaller awards would support figure skating, HEROES programming and farmers market nutrition work.
Suszek said applicants are evaluated through presentations and detailed questioning before requests are ranked and scored. Matching funds are encouraged, but they are not required; most recipients share costs through some combination of matching money or other funding.
The $75,000 contingency fund would address needs that emerge after the main grant round. It could help groups facing emergency situations, organizations that lose another grant, or new groups and time-sensitive ideas that could not be submitted during the regular application period.
“Anyone can apply, no max award, but they are generally small mini grants,” Suszek said.
The committee has not set a hard maximum for contingency awards, but applicants must explain why they were unable to apply during the regular funding round. Final funding remains subject to action by the Alpena County Board of Commissioners.