Durham City Manager Tom Bonfield said recently the city could put $150,000 into renovating the dilapidated Duke Park bathhouse for a neighborhood community center.

Now the ball's in Duke Park's court. The neighborhood has to raise some money of its own first, Bonfield said.

It's not all Duke Parkers wanted, but it's a starting point, said resident Bill Anderson. And it's been a long time coming.

In 1994, residents incorporated the nonprofit Duke Park Preservation Initiative. For several years, they have beseeched City Hall for help with the city park's 76-year-old bathhouse. The neighbors want to lease, renovate and use the building, which has had no maintenance since the park's swimming pool was closed in 1993.

They just needed the city's permission - and $200,000 or so.

Bonfield said the city money won't be coming right away. The bathhouse renovation could be part of a future construction plan, but not this year, he said.

Nevertheless, his mentioning a dollar amount after last week's "Coffee With Council" session, was encouraging to those who've pushed the idea so long.

"We can probably do it," said resident Dan Read. Now the neighbors need to start figuring out how to raise their part.

"Grant writers out there want to help?" Read said.