The decision is another step in the resolve to tear down the Bountiful Armory and replace it with a new gym that will be a significant addition to the South Davis Recreation Center.
Bountiful City Manager Tom Hardy told the council the agreement also concerns construction of a replacement ball field at the adjacent city park. He said the school district and the city would jointly construct and operate the ball field as well.
Hardy went on to explain that the agreement confirmed the responsibility for operation of the gymnasium and the utility costs associated with it. He said the school district would pay utility costs for the gym from September to May each year, and the remaining months would be covered by the city. Annual maintenance and repair costs would be shared as well.
Hardy added that, at some point, the South Davis Recreation District will have the option to take over operation of the gym.
The partnership on the $4- million-plus project was an-nounced by the school board last week. Bountiful City would front the costs initially, and the district would repay its portion through extended RDA funds.
Hardy said the armory could be demolished as early as March 2006.
Mayor Joe Johnson added that the schedule is actually quite aggressive. And he said the agreement is exciting; the gymnasium will finish the "campus."
Johnson added that he was thankful Hardy was able to find a way to move the project forward through use of RDA funds.
Hardy said the building and its lockers will be available to the recreation district from the beginning. As a side note, he said there's already talk about combining existing city recreation programs under the umbrella of the South Davis Recreation District.
City Council Member John Pitt said the partnership was a "win-win" for the city, echoing the words of school board officials at the decision last week.
ztodd@davisclipper.com
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