If all goes well, Coplay Borough will have to shell out about $75,000 for a project valued at $500,000.

The borough plans to apply for $500,000 in grant funding that requires a 15-percent match. The money would fund the replacement of lights and refurbishing the fieldhouse at Balliet Stadium and the refurbishing of a park behind the fire department on Cherry Street.

"This is the only way we're going to get ahead, to think this way," said Councilman Charles Sodl at Tuesday's council workshop. "I know $75,000 is a lot of money but so is a half million."

At the July 8 meeting, council will vote on who will sign the grant applications, some of which are due July 21, and decide which grants to pursue. Grant writer and consultant Scott Cope will make a recommendation at that meeting.

Cope said he estimated each of the two projects would cost about $250,000. The borough could apply for one grant for both projects or for separate grants for each project. It requires the "same work" no matter which way it is done.

Because of grant application timelines, the borough would not have to worry about having matching funds this year. Council could budget the amount in the 2015 budget.

"It's not money you have to put up this year," he said.

Sodl said he is not convinced the borough will have to come up with all the funds itself.

"If the project is presented properly to the public, we can raise that money," he said.