St. Paul Parks and Recreation is locked in a stomach-churning three-way race for funding from the Minnesota Timberwolves and U.S. Bank, and so far, results are not looking good.

As of Wednesday evening, a proposal to upgrade the outdoor basketball courts at Battle Creek Rec Center, adjacent to the Battle Creek Elementary School, had garnered 20 percent of the public vote in an online contest. Rival proposals from Madsen Park in Fridley and Roosevelt Park in Richfield had drawn 41 percent and 38 percent of the vote, respectively.

Through the “Our Courts, Our Future” program, the professional basketball team is working with U.S. Bank to refurbish four courts in different parts of the state. Voting takes place online at nba.com/timberwolves/ourcourts through 12 p.m. May 24.

At the Battle Creek Rec Center at 75 S. Winthrop St., the courts are used during recess and after-school programs, as well as by the general community for practices and pickup games.

Last year, the contest funded court improvements at St. Paul’s Groveland Park Recreation Center on St. Clair Avenue, as well as sites in Hibbing, Hastings and St. Cloud.