With a state agency saying it intends to recommend approving a six-figure grant covering a majority of costs to improve Old Town Park in Talent, the city is tentatively approving a half-million dollars in upgrades, including a full renovation of its skate park.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department told Talent city officials that the state’s Grants Advisory Committee recommended approving the city’s $315,822 grant request to improve the park, according to a release issued Friday by the city. Talent Mayor Darby Ayers-Flood said in quotes attributed to her in the release: “This is great news.”

“So, it’s not final … but we are in really, really good shape to receive these funds,” Ayers-Flood said.

According to City Manager Gary Milliman, when the Grants Advisory Committee makes recommendations, the state parks commission nearly always follows its lead “without change.” He expects the commission will approve the grant at its Sept. 18 meeting.

The full grant amount accounts for about 60% of the project’s cost, estimated at $526,320. Talent is planning to cover the remainder using the city’s Parks Capital Fund or using federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, according to the release.

Construction likely will not begin until spring or summer 2025, according to the city. Multiple procedural steps need to occur after the state parks commission recommends the grant for approval.

For starters, the commission will need to work with the State Historic Preservation Office and the Department of Justice to draft a grant agreement. The city expects a draft will be ready for review in October or November.

Once the agreement is inked, the city will sign a Notice to Proceed and begin working on planning a design and implementation.

In addition to improvements to the skate park, the grant calls for improvements that include adding picnic facilities and a small performance venue. The city believes those additions gave it a leg up in a “highly competitive” grant, the release said.