WARSAW — The City-County Athletic Complex will be receiving a $100,000 grant on behalf of the Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission towards purchasing land from RR Donnelley.

On Nov. 9, CCAC Board Treasurer Rick Paczkowski updated the Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission on how the CCAC has been doing and asked the commissioners to consider giving money for them to purchase additional land.

RR Donnelley is selling property located next to the CCAC that the CCAC is interested in purchasing. They were able to negotiate with RR Donnelley and lower the selling price down to $5,500 an acre.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” explained Paczkowski. He implored that if they do not purchase the property, the county could lose the property.

The commission approved giving the $100,000 grant for the purchase of the property from RR Donnelley.

Jill Boggs, executive director of the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau asked for funds to print visitor guides. The commission approved her request.

Boggs mentioned the bureau might be running low on funds due to a $4,000 air conditioning repair and additional expenses. The commission assured Boggs that if she came up with a plan of how much she needed and where it would be going, they would be willing to work with her.

Chuck McLaughlen, vice-president of Lake City Skiers, asked the board for a $40,000 grant that would go towards the first phase of a bleacher project. The first phase would bring the Lake City Skiers’ current seating of 450, up to 750. The old wooden seats would be replaced with new benches with this project.

McLaughlen mentioned on July 4, 650 spectators came to watch skiing, and 800 individuals came on Labor Day of this year. He cited these as reasons for why they are in need of additional seating. McLaughlen stated they have to bid to host Division I and Nationals skiing events. He stated that they need better seating if they are to be in the run for a bid. The commissioners approved the $40,000 grant.

The Indiana Lincoln Highway Association asked for a $1,000 grant to be reimbursed for signs advertising the highway in Warsaw. The commission approved the grant.

Nate Bosch, with the Center for Lakes and Streams, asked the commission for $30,000 to cover operating costs. The commission approved the request for the funds but did mention they would like the Center for Lakes and Streams to eventually work towards covering operating costs themselves.

Bosch also proposed the commission fund the Center For Lakes and Streams project to print booklets with information about the six most popular lakes in Kosciusko County. He stated the books would have a “Past, present and future focus” on the lakes.

The commission stated they believed the project to be out of their range to be giving money towards. The commission stated they found the project to be more directed towards individuals who already live at the lakes, versus trying to get people to come visit the lakes.

The commission advised Bosch to find funding elsewhere, or slightly change the messaging of the books with the idea of getting people to visit the lakes.