Area briefs: Grant received to expand Prairie Creek walking trail

MUNCIE, Ind. — The city of Muncie in recent days received notice of a $266,000 grant award from Indiana Trails Program to complete the third phase of trail expansions at Prairie Creek Reservoir.

According to a news release, the grant will allow the city and its partners to continue to fill the vision of a trail connecting the Cardinal Greenway to the North Shore campground.

The first two phases were completed in 2013 and 2016, and included 2.6 miles of ADA accessible trail. The trail expansion will now connect the trail all the way to the beach house — about 1.15 additional miles of trail.

The release said the trail will be nine feet wide and constructed from ADA compliant stone. The project will go out for bid with design expected to start this summer and construction slated for 2025.

Ervin re-appointed to Muncie school board

MUNCIE, Ind. — The Ball State University Board of Trustees on Friday re-appointed local attorney Mark Erving to the Muncie Community School Board.

"As we anticipate the successful conclusion of another academic year, we are filled with gratitude,” Ric Hall, president of the BSU Board of Trustees, said in a release. “We extend our sincere thanks to Mark Ervin, a Ball State graduate and member of the appointed (MCS) board since its formation."

“The success of our university’s collaboration with Muncie Community Schools is a source of pride, and Mark has played an important role in executing our collective vision for the district,” Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns said in the release,

Also Friday, the BSU board approved a $7.8 million construction budget for Ball State's new Eric Foss Championship Performance Center, a 10,000-square-foot strength and conditioning facility that will be adjacent to Worthen Arena and the Don Shondell Practice Center.

Foss, a 1980 Ball State graduate and former chairman and CEO of Aramark. has made a $4 million donation for the project.

The board of trustees also approved namings of the Rhonda Newport Kaspar Stage and the Timothy M. Andrews Monumental Stair at Ball State’s new Performing Arts Center.

The Rhonda Newport Kaspar Stage is in the PAC’s main theatre, which will have seating for 425 patrons. It is named for 1981 Ball State graduates and longtime donors Rhonda and Robert Kaspar, who have committed a gift of $2.5 million to support that project.

The Timothy M. Andrews Monumental Stair will be located in the lobby of the PAC.

Andrews, president and CEO of Advertising Specialty Institute and a 1984 Ball State graduate, contributed $1 million to the project.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Area briefs: Grant to allow Prairie Creek trail expansion to continue