FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — The City of Franklin Council on Monday night approved applying for a DCNR grant that would help with upgrades to Miller-Sibley Improvements.

The project would be a two-phase project according to Sheila Boughner, Director of Community Development.

The first phase would cost $520,060.00 with a City match of $260,030.00 or half the cost.

According to Boughner, the first phase would be to demolish the two basketball courts and five tennis courts and then rebuild both basketball courts and one tennis court with the tennis court also being stripped for pickleball.

City Manager Tracy Jamieson said the tennis courts are sparsely used which is why only one would be rebuilt.

Boughner said Phase 1 would also include repaving and expansion of a parking lot.

“We will be seeking money from local foundations including the McElhatten Foundation and the Samuel Justus Foundation to help with the match,” Boughner said.

Boughner also said that a group of students from Miami (Ohio) University will be doing a mock public relations campaign surrounding the project and the City will be free to use that campaign in helping to solicit donations from the general public.

Phase 2 of the project, which will cost $325,753.00, would include redoing a grassy area at the Park and reducing the t-ball fields from three to two to allow for two larger youth soccer fields. In addition, that phase would include more parking upgrades and the turning of an internal road into a pedestrian walkway.