Senator Gaetz, and Representative Patronis were both in Mexico Beach to present a check in the amount of $76,281 in state funding.

That check will be matched by $25,427 in local funding to repair the basketball and tennis courts on Paradise Cove Boulevard. The 75/25 matching grant comes from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Mexico Beach is the only city in Bay County to receive this funding from the state this year.

The check was accepted by Mayor Al Cathey at Mexico Beach city hall. The court is the only public basketball and tennis courts in Mexico Beach. All parties were happy to get funding to help rebuild the playground.

"People who live here want to make sure that the quality of life here is good for young people. So, representative Patronis and I are pleased to be able to present $76,000 in state funds to match with about $24,000 of local money to make sure recreational facilities here in Mexico Beach are improved, that they're refurbished, and that young people here have a chance to have a good quality of life,” says Gaetz.