LCRA, PEC award $25,000 grant for upgrades to Johnson City little league field
Johnson City Youth Sports Association will improve concession area, restrooms and storage at youth fields
June 13, 2025
LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative representatives present a $25,000 grant to the Johnson City Youth Sports Association for renovations and upgrades to the facilities at the Little League ball field. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Celeste Mikeska, PEC community relations manager; Kevin Callahan, association director of marketing – web design; Kevyn Packer, PEC community outreach specialist; Beth Koennecke, PEC external relations representative; Jorge Montalvo, association baseball director; Mandy Buck, association president; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; John Hernandez, association president emeritus; Carol Freeman and Michael L. “Mike” Allen, LCRA Board members; Jace Ghormley, association ballplayer; Jessica Ghormley, association secretary; Gunnar Buck, association ballplayer; and Elizabeth Ehlers, LCRA Regional Affairs representative.
JOHNSON CITY, Texas – The Johnson City Youth Sports Association soon will renovate a concession, restroom and storage building at its Little League ball fields, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Pedernales Electric Cooperative.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $43,108 in matching funds from the sports association, will help upgrade outdated and deteriorating facilities that serve hundreds of young athletes and community members throughout Blanco County and the surrounding area.
The project includes replacing restrooms that are not up to code, improving drainage to address flooding and mold issues and enhancing energy efficiency through the installation of LED lighting and upgraded HVAC systems. The renovated building will support youth baseball and softball games during the spring and fall seasons and will be accessible year-round for community events.
“We’re incredibly grateful for this grant and the opportunity it brings to significantly improve our facilities,” said Mandy Buck, president of the Johnson City Youth Sports Association. “What began as a small program focused on baseball, softball and T-ball has grown into a vibrant hub for youth sports in our community. As participation has expanded, so has the need for safe, updated and functional facilities.”
The improvements also will make the complex more attractive to visiting teams and organizations, potentially enabling the site to host more tournaments and events that contribute to the local economy and foster community pride.
“This funding allows us to address longstanding infrastructure issues, enhance the experience for players and families and position our complex as a welcoming destination for future growth and community engagement,” Buck said. “Without this support, we would have faced the challenge of raising the necessary funds through local donations.”
The community grant is one of 45 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund eligible capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Pedernales Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations.
About PEC
Founded in 1938 by then-Congressman Lyndon B. Johnson, Pedernales Electric Cooperative Inc. is a member-owned electric cooperative serving more than 425,000 meters across the Texas Hill Country. An industry-recognized leader providing outstanding member service and reliable electricity, PEC conducts its business via a transparent and democratic process and encourages member participation.
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