Carbon County officials have received word that they will not receive a grant to renovate the restroom facilities at Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

During the county commissioners' meeting on Thursday, the board announced that they received word from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission that the county's application for financial assistance through the Boating Facility Grant Program has been denied for the 2011 fiscal year. The grant would have helped the county construct new restrooms at boat launch "B" at the park.The letter, written by Scott W. Bollinger, boating facilities program coordinator, states "the commission planned on using federal pass-through grants and settlement funds that the commission obtained as a result of environmental damages to specific watersheds, and other restricted revenue accounts for this round of grants. These funding sources have very specific guidelines and requirements resulting in a more limited and focused approach on selecting projects. Unfortunately, your project was not eligible for funding through any of these funding sources."The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission noted that if funding does become available the county will be contacted and given the opportunity to apply.Commissioner William O'Gurek, chairman, said the county was disappointed by the announcement because the bathrooms are in dire need of repairs.In April, the county decided to try and secure funding through the Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in the amount of $81,000 for the project. The county would have contributed $9,000.The project called for replacing the existing bathrooms, which are over 30 years old, with a double vault system that is handicap accessible. It would have included solar lights and fans; as well as stainless steel toilets.Carbon County has been completing numerous projects at Mauch Chunk Lake Park over the last few years, including building a new camp store, trail maintenance and more.Mauch Chunk Lake Park has been a tourist attraction for decades, offering swimming, camping, and other recreational activities to many who visit Carbon County.