Marbleton/Big Piney Rec Center Update
by Sublette County
September 17, 2009
The Marbleton/Big Piney recreation center joint powers board met with Sublette County Commissioners on September 15, 2009 to talk with the commission about the level of support for the project that may be forthcoming from the commission.
Although it was a long and detailed discussion, and involved controversy about who should be contracted with to actually construct the building, the commission was clear that it will authorize a check to the board in the amount of $4.2 million on the condition that the money be spent exclusively on the rec center, and that the board agrees not to seek further county funding for the project.
This rec center money has been held in reserve by the county commission for several years. The commissioners indicated since there was not one design plan for bidding purposes, the joint powers boards should meet, decide which design proposal it favors, and present minutes of that meeting where the decision is made to the commissioners before the funds are transferred to the joint powers board. The project will be constructed on land already purchased years ago by the commissioners for this purpose in Marbleton and operations and maintenance will be the responsibility of the joint powers board with reversion of the property to the County if the project is ever terminated.
Sublette County Commissioner John Linn expressed his desire that the project be put out to bid. If the project costs totals less than the $4.2 million provided by the county, the commission expressed its support for placing the balance in an endowment fund to provide for future operations of the facility.
The rec center board apparently wants a 14,500-square-foot building with two movie theatres, and an 8-lane bowling alley. With the commission agreeing to write the check and transfer the money to the board, all decision-making on the project now rests with the board.
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