Grant to help fund Saugus tennis court rehab

SAUGUS – While work continues on the Belmonte Middle School in Saugus, a state grant may give nearby tennis courts a makeover, too.School Committee Vice Chairman Corinne Riley said she and State Rep. Donald Wong, R-Saugus, helped snag a $15,000 child safety grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.?The surface needs to be redone,” said Riley. “There was some work done on it, but there?s a lot more to be done.”Riley said the school department has received quotes to resurface the courts ranging from $26,000 to almost to $60,000. And while the current grant won?t cover the full cost, Riley said she?s hoping it can buy a new paint job and new nets.?Just to make the playing field better,” said Riley. “We?re going to meet again, and I?m looking forward to meeting with the Town Manager and maybe we can get some other assistance from the town, if possible, to get other things done.”Riley said she hopes it can also act as seed money for a larger project.Riley said the grant was originally for $30,000 when it was awarded last May. However, the town didn?t claim the money in time so it was cut in half due to state budget cuts.Despite this, Riley said the money is “better than nothing.”?The town treasurer should get it this week,” said Riley. “Hopefully if there?s some money available from the town they can chip in toward that $15,000 if it?s feasible.”Wong said he was “happy to receive” the $15,000 to upgrade the courts, noting, “the money is coming from the state and it won?t be coming from the (local) taxpayers.”Wong said he?s hoping to meet with Town Manager Scott Crabtree to discuss how to move forward, and on Friday said he spoke with representatives from Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School about having students do the work to save money on labor.?The vocational school has done projects outside the Wakefield community, so we might as well take advantage,” said Wong.Crabtree could not be reached for comment.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].