EAST BUTLER — New ways to raise some funds to make repairs and improvements at the East Butler Sports Complex are being explored by borough officials.

Borough council voted unanimously Monday, Oct. 6, to ratify an agreement with Herbert, Rowland & Grubic Engineering to do an assessment of the complex and identify needs for future grants. The agreement cost the borough $2,500.

“We had a meeting up there on Monday with two other engineers and Lance (Welliver) from Butler County Parks and Rec. It was a really good meeting, they think we have a good chance to get some,” Councilman Dean Vincent said during Monday’s meeting.

He said the meeting explored many different opportunities for the complex, but one of the biggest grants the complex can benefit from must be submitted by November.

Mayor Shawn Nagy added the grant ideas explored included a playground, walking trail, basketball court or “whatever else we wanted to bring.”

“The things they’re talking about doing is laying out a full-scale project that can be broken into piecemeal and done over several years and several grants,” Vincent said.

Councilwoman Tracie Williams, who also attended the meeting with the engineers, commented on how thorough and capable the group seemed to be.

Council also remarked the engineers were impressed by how many residents from different municipalities use the complex.

Before major developments are made, Councilman Dave Geibel said the borough needs to address proper stormwater and drainage on the grounds first. While the engineers proposed a company, the borough said it would need to see what grants it receives first.

“They’re going to come in and do it right. The company that they’re proposing is worldwide. They put in a flyer they sent out about how many buildings all over the world. But they’re not cheap,” Geibel said.

The group agreed that regardless of what grants the borough gets, the cost of the assessment will be worth it in the long run.