LCRA, CITY OF LA GRANGE AWARD $10,000 GRANT TO
TEXAS CZECH HERITAGE AND CULTURAL CENTER

La Grange’s Sanford Schmid Amphitheater to get new roof

LA GRANGE, Texas – The Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center will replace the aging roof of a popular amphitheater, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of La Grange.
 
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $22,125 in matching funds, will help replace the 20-year-old roof atop the Sanford Schmid Amphitheater.
 
“We really appreciate the grant and look forward to getting this project underway,” said Retta Chandler, Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center president. “Although the building is not old, it is very special. It was designed in the European style that is very important to the Czech culture.”
 
The entire roof is worn, Chandler said, and a replacement is essential to protecting the amphitheater’s integrity and visitor safety. The amphitheater is available to the public for an array of events, including musicals, weddings and concerts. Visitors can also explore the amphitheater when touring the cultural center. 
 
“The stadium can hold up to 400 seats, plus the grassy area behind us can accommodate up to 1,000 people,” Chandler said. “We want the community to enjoy the beauty of the amphitheater and the special events it hosts, like the Czech Heritage Festival, which draws between 400 to 500 people.”
 
The community grant is one of 28 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in LCRA’s wholesale electric and water service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. The City of La Grange is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program.
 
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted July 1-31. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.