LA GRANGE - The La Grange Education Support Program Foundation soon will renovate the restrooms in the 1938 Hermes Gym, thanks to a $23,684 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of La Grange.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $23,684 in matching funds from the educational foundation, will enable the group to make much-needed improvements to the gym restrooms used by La Grange-area school students and youth sports organizations.
Pam Keilers, educational aide and grant writer, said the restroom upgrade will benefit visitors and students in the La Grange Independent School District and surrounding communities, including Round Top and Fayetteville.
“We want this space to be a more positive reflection of our school district,” Keilers said. “Receiving this grant is going to help us do that. We are hopeful that we will be able to host more events using this gym with renovated restrooms.”
The gym is used by elementary school students for physical education classes and high school students for after-school sports practices. Other groups, including the La Grange Optimist Club’s Little Hitters volleyball program and Little Dribblers basketball program, also use the gym frequently.
“Our elementary school now has about 1,000 students, and all of the elementary-age kids rotate in and out of the gyms,” Keilers said. “The restrooms are getting used more and more, so there’s a definite need to ensure we're able to properly accommodate and make sure the facilities are up to La Grange ISD standards for students and all visitors to the gym.”
The updated facilities will include water-efficient, low-flow toilets and sinks.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January 2025. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.
