Othello receives grant contract for new basketball courts

OTHELLO — Othello city officials have received a contract for a $350,000 grant that will pay for construction of two new basketball courts in Lions Park. It’s the first contract of a $1.35 million project to expand the basketball courts and rebuild the Lions Park playground. “What I’ve heard from (the Recreation and Conservation Office) is that we have contracts by the end of September because their budget season is coming to an end and we need to have all those contracts out by then,” Thalia Lemus, the city’s grant administrator, said. City officials obtained grants in 2021 to pay for the basketball courts as well as the redesign and rebuild of the playground. Construction was scheduled for 2022, but changes in the construction market and the need to meet contract stipulations led to a delay. Lemus said contracts are still pending for the two grants that will pay for the playground redesign. Lemus updated Othello City Council members on the status of ongoing grant-funded projects during the regular council meeting Monday...