AUSTINTOWN — Tennis and pickleball players in the township may soon enjoy better accommodations.

Austintown trustees has a special meeting Wednesday to approve plans for a tennis court repair project, which officials hope will be supported by a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

“It’s an Ohio NatureWorks Grant, and we are required to have commitment from the board of trustees at the time of application, because if it is funded they want to be sure it goes forward,” said Township Administrator Mark D’Apolito.

The grant provides up to 75% reimbursement for local governments for acquisition, development and rehabilitation of outdoor recreation areas.

D’Apolito said all six of the tennis — and converted pickleball — courts in Austintown Township Park need substantial repairs.

“They’re cracking and they’re not level,” he said. “They also have anchors for the nets that are pulling up from the ground because they were not the correct shape when they were poured underground.”

D’Apolito said the anchors should have been cone-shaped but were instead poured as squares.

He said the tennis and pickleball courts are regularly occupied in the warm months and are used by Austintown Fitch High School for tennis meets.

He said the township has sought multiple bids for the work, which comes out to approximately $100,000 for two courts. He said the last time Austintown received the grant, it was for about $54,000. He said they do not know exactly how much will be awarded but intend to ask for the maximum allowable funding.

According to the ODNR website, communities can apply for up to $150,000. The grant requires a 25% upfront investment from the township. The application due date is July 1.