HUNTINGDON, Tenn. — The Huntingdon Town Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday evening, March 17, to apply for state grant funding that could bring six tennis courts, eight pickleball courts, and a full suite of amenities to the Huntingdon High School campus in a project estimated at more than $2 million.
Dr. Jonathan Kee, director of Huntingdon Special School District (HSSD), presented the project to the council. He said that the effort has been nearly a decade in the making.
“About nine years ago, I was high school principal, and we identified there was a great need for tennis courts for our tennis team at the high school,” Kee said.
The team has used Veterans Park for many years, and the courts there are beyond repair.
The project would be funded through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF), a competitive grant program.
Under the grant’s guidelines, the town, not the school system, must be the applicant.
In exchange, HSSD would either deed or execute a long-term lease on approximately 3.9 acres at Huntingdon High School, where the site has already been graded to a 1% grade suitable for court construction.
The full project includes six post-tension concrete tennis courts, eight pickleball courts, parking, ADA walkways, court lighting, bleachers, a restroom, and a pavilion.
Kee told the council the total cost is estimated at around $2.4 million with administrative fees and contingencies built in.
Because Carroll County qualifies as an at-risk community, the grant match is reduced from 50% to 25%, putting the local obligation at roughly $500,000. Kee said the school system is prepared to help cover the matching funds, meaning the town would not be on the hook for additional dollars.
“Our board can’t justify spending $2 million for this one project,” Kee said. “But if we can give $150,000 to $200,000 toward a match, and we have the Wright Charitable Trust, y’all have the capability of applying for the grant. I think it’s a win win for everybody.”
Council member Kelly Eubanks asked Kee about scheduling, maintenance responsibilities, and what happens if lights or nets need replacing.
Kee said the school system would maintain the grounds and provide surveillance, and noted that the courts would be a community venue, not exclusively controlled by the school.
“If someone wanted to come out and play at 10 o’clock on a school day, they can do that,” Kee said. “We’re a small town. Our schools are a big part of our community.”
Council member Chad Barnhart asked whether a new grant could be opened while the town’s existing LPRF grant for softball fields remains active.
Kee acknowledged the town could lose some points on the scoring rubric but said state officials encouraged them to apply anyway.
If approved, the town could learn of the grant award as early as summer 2026, with construction potentially beginning in spring 2027.
The resolution passed unanimously.
Sewer Grant and Infrastructure.
The council also approved three resolutions related to a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for sewer improvements.
Resolution 026-02 authorizes the town to apply for up to $1 million in FY2026 CDBG funds for a sewer improvement project to replace a sewer lift station.
Resolution 026-03 hires Community Development Partners, LLC for administrative services on the grant, and Resolution 026-04 hires J.R. Wauford & Company, Consulting Engineers, for engineering services. Both firms would complete the application work at no cost, with fees contingent on the project being funded. All three passed unanimously.
The council also approved a $75,000 consulting contract with Community Development Partners, LLC for administrative services on the existing 2025 LPRF parks grant.
Grinder Pump Ordinance.
Under a suspension of the rules, the council gave first-reading approval to Ordinance No. 656, which updates the town’s municipal code regarding grinder pump systems used in areas where gravity-flow sewer connections aren’t possible.
The ordinance drew discussion from Barnhart, who raised concerns about residents who were annexed into the city under the understanding that the town would maintain their grinder pumps.
The ordinance states the town will provide maintenance on units installed prior to June 2023, but property owners will be billed for parts. Barnhart said he felt the town should honor its original commitment to those residents.
“It wasn’t this board that made the agreement,” Barnhart said. “I’m just old school. Your word is your word.”
Mayor Chad Edwards said the ordinance was developed in consultation with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation over the past two years and is designed to allow the town to offer sewer service to new subdivisions without absorbing the full maintenance burden of additional grinder pumps.
“I want to offer sewer to a 50-house subdivision,” Edwards said. “But the town can’t afford to take care of 50 more grinder pumps.”
The ordinance will require a second reading for final approval, which will take place on April 28.
Northwood Drive Rezoning Finalized.
Ordinance 655 passed its second and final reading unanimously.
The Ordinance rezones approximately 66.8 acres at the northeast corner of Northwood Drive and Crossroads Church Road from R-1 to R-2 (Medium-Density Residential).
A public hearing was held with no one speaking for or against the measure.
Water Bill Adjustments.
The council approved five water bill adjustments for residents and a business affected by leaks and busted pipes during winter weather.
The bills ranged from roughly $1,400 to $2,450.
Under the town’s normal adjustment policy, bills are reduced based on average consumption, but the council has set a precedent of further reducing bills to $250 in catastrophic situations.
All five were adjusted to $250.
Heritage Festival Date Change.
The council approved moving the Heritage Festival to the third Saturday in September, which is September 19.
Edwards said last year’s festival was hurt by a University of Tennessee football game that same weekend, and the Vols are scheduled to play Kennesaw State on the original date this year.