FERRIDAY &045; With summer fast approaching, the Town of Ferriday is looking for ways to expand its recreational programs and facilities.

In 2001, the town used $23,000 in grant funds from the Governor’s Office of Rural Development to renovate the aging Florida Street Gym building.

Renovations done that year included roof repairs, floor work, renovation of bleachers and classrooms and general cleaning.

Now, the town has applied for a $50,000 grant to further renovate the old Florida Street Gym building, which is already being used for basketball and other recreational programs.

&uot;We should hear something on that next month,&uot; said Mayor Glen McGlothin. That money would be used, among other renovations, to refurbish the facility’s restrooms.

In addition, the town is working with the Atlanta-based American Youth Soccer Organization to establish a soccer program in Ferriday. The AYSO is a nonprofit association of soccer programs in 46 states. Currently, 630,000 children and youth ages 4 to 18 play for teams affiliated with the organization.

If that becomes a reality, Ferriday might be able to play teams from nearby Tensas Parish, which is also working to establish an AYSO program, McGlothin said.

McGlothin said he hopes to establish a soccer field in a field next to the former Alternative Center building on Florida Street.

&uot;All we’d need to do would be to mow the grass and set some striping down,&uot; McGlothin said. &uot;If this all comes together, we could be ready (for play) by August.&uot;

Some after-school programs could also be established in the Alternative Center building itself, he said.