The Conroe Department of Parks and Recreation will be applying for a grant from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for Phase 2 of the new Oscar Johnson Jr. Community Center, according to Parks and Recreation Director Mike Riggens.

In an email, Riggens said the grant will be used for the development of Phase 2 of the Oscar Johnson Jr. Community Center master plan, a project that Community Impact Newspaper previously reported would break ground in mid-2022 after $35 million in funding was approved in December for the new center. During a City Council meeting July 14, the council approved a signature required on a resolution for the grant. If a grant is approved, Riggens said during a July 13 workshop meeting the city agrees to match up to 15%.

Riggens said in an email the grant is competitive, so the amount awarded—if any—will remain unknown until announced.

Riggens also said the project would have to be completed in phases, because the amount received from the grant and city match would not be enough to include all of the proposed amenities. Among the included amenities are playground equipment, concrete paths, landscaping, irrigation and workout stations.

According to previous Community Impact Newspaper reporting, the center is expected to span 87,000 square feet, and the existing center spans approximately 10,000 square feet. Phase 1 of the master plan is set to go out for bid for construction next month, Riggens said in a July 18 email.