The city has a good chance to receive a $50,000 grant for a water spray park, Natchez Community Development Coordinator James Johnston told aldermen Tuesday.

Representatives from the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development, which administers the Community Development Block Grants, made a site visit to North Natchez Park last week, Johnston said.

&uot;Hopefully in the next few weeks we’ll receive notice of the award,&uot; Johnston said.

The grant would help fund a $124,600 &uot;Sprayground,&uot; a series of computer-controlled water sprays installed in a flat surface splash pad. If the city receives the grant, the city would fund it with $74,600 of in-kind contributions and $48,600 in cash.

City officials have said the park, which could be completed by the end of the summer, would be a cheaper alternative to a swimming pool because it can be operated with little supervision.

In other business Tuesday, aldermen:

Heard from Tourism Management Director Walter Tipton that the Convention and Visitors Bureau received $56,144 in grants from the state Department of Tourism to fund seven advertising projects. The grant will be matched by the CVB.

Approved a 5.25 percent rate through Britton & Koontz First National Bank for a lease-purchase agreement for vehicles and equipment.

Approved a request from the Sadie V. Thompson Era Reunion committee to use Memorial Park for a July 2 event. Aldermen also discussed the need for groups that use the park to work out any scheduling conflicts at St. Mary Basilica with church officials. The park sits behind the church.

Heard from Tipton that the Natchez Visitor Reception Center hit a one-day record for visitors Saturday, with 1,950 recorded. The previous one-day record was 1,728 on March 26, 1999.

Heard from Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown that Cable One representatives plan to do more public education to work customers on reception problems.