The Federal Way Rotary Club received notice that their application for a $9,000 matching grant to help fund the purchase of a Disabled Access “Ability Whirl” toy at Steel Lake Park had been approved by Rotary District 5030.

Dave Berger, a member of the parks commission who’s been spearheading the fundraising effort to update the play structures at Steel Lake Park, said the approval for the matching grant funds was a big step.

“The Rotary District 5030 grant gives Rotary’s local fundraising effort a big boost,” he said, although there’s still some uncertainty to the total cost of the specialized piece of play equipment. “(The city’s) Parks Division staff’s preliminary estimate for purchasing and installing the Ability Whirl is $21,000. Until the city solicits bids for the Funland renovation project, including the Ability Whirl installation, we won’t know the exact cost.”

Berger also noted that those interested in helping out with this project should attend a meeting of the Federal Way Service Clubs Network at 10 a.m. at City Hall on Sept. 11. Steve Ikerd, parks and facilities manager for the city, will be giving a presentation on the Funland renovation project.