By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
A facility use agreement which allows the Nephi Recreation Department to use school district facilities to help meet the city's recreation needs has become official.
Dr. Rick Robins, Juab School District Superintendent, and Mark Jones, Nephi City Mayor, signed the agreement with Blair Painter, city recorder, attesting the signatures.
"We learned about the county building's failed boiler and then learned of the Old Gym's failed heating system," said McKnight.
He said that came on the heels of the information the city had received about other concerns about other problems of the building. The city council had discussed those concerns.
"It became apparent that the Old Gym could not be used during the winter months," said McKnight.
One concern for not being able to supply heat to the Old Gym was the food bank which was located there. However, the county arranged for the food bank to move into and utilize the former county jail.
The terms of the agreement will be for 10 years but can be terminated upon six months written notice.
The school is located at 800 North and 400 East and was built to serve as the Juab Middle School. When the middle school was moved into the junior high and became part of that school, the building was then used for Nebo View Elementary until the former Nephi Elementary was remodeled for use.
Since that time, only part of the building has been in use.
The city council determined on Tuesday to ratify the facility use agreement which had become effective on September 23.
"The city and the school district entered into the agreement to share the use of the westernmost building on the district's campus in northeast Nephi," said Mark Jones, mayor. "I will now entertain a motion to ratify the agreement."
Lisa Brough, city council member, said she was appreciative that the school district board of education had been so gracious in working out an agreement.
"It is a wonderful thing that the school district and the city were able to work out an agreement," she said.
"The building was one the city had limited use for," said Randy McKnight, city administrator. "The district does not continually utilize the entire space for their needs."
It was an underused building with a very nice gym, he said.
He said the city would use that gym and the gym at Red Cliffs Elementary for their basketball games and for other sports.
The city is entitled to use the gymnasium area, one classroom and the west wing of the school and, if the city determines in the future that it would like to use more of the building, the city and district will participate in good faith negotiations regarding additional use.
"The city's use of the building will not interfere with the school day," said McKnight. "The district can use the gymnasium area from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. on scheduled school days."
Any other arrangement has to be agreed upon by the city recreation director and the high school administration.
In the event of weather or other emergency situation the city will allow the district to use the cages and gymnasium on days that fall outside of the December through February time period. Those problems will also be worked out by the recreation director and the school's administration.
The city will have access to the gymnasium of Red Cliffs Elementary School Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. until the last game or practice ends for the duration of the city basketball season.
"We worked it out with the city that Nephi City Recreation will have the same phone number they have currently," said McKnight.
The city may also place signs on the building to provide relevant information to the public and the city may also place appropriate sponsor banners in the gym area.
"We will also accommodate those who have been using the Old Gym for walking," said McKnight. "We will also have adequate space for practices."
The public attending city and district activities may park in the district's parking lots.
The recreation center may use the north restrooms in the building provided that the use does not interfere with district classes or activities and the city may make minor adjustments to the interior of the gym, scoreboards, volleyball nets and the like.
Access through the south fence gates will be allowable for deliveries and other authorized personnel.
The district will be responsible for regular maintenance and cleaning and the city will do basic cleanup of the utilized areas.
The city will pay all utility costs associated with operation of the building which will include electricity, water, sewer and natural gas expenses.
If accident, harm, injury or damage to a person or property that results of the district or the city will be the responsibility of whichever group is in charge of that area at the time.
The city may periodically lease its right to use the building to third parties but it would then have the responsibility for supervision, damage, injury and clean-up.
"The city has the right to determine the amount it will charge to lease its right to use the building," said McKnight.
