Council approves MOU with school for temporary fitness center, authorizes $7,000 to get facility open

Orderville — The town council approved a memorandum of understanding with the local school to house gym equipment in a town facility for a three-year term and authorized staff to take steps to open the fitness center, including a one-time allocation of up to $7,000 for initial improvements.

Chelsea (speaker 8), who presented the MOU and cost estimates from local contractors, described recommended security and safety measures: coded doors to log entries, cameras in common areas and a liability waiver that would require users to be 18 or have adult supervision. "The ceiling is horrible," Chelsea said when describing immediate physical needs; contractors’ estimates cover ceiling repair, doors and HVAC changes.

Council members raised concerns about under-18 access and supervision. One council member noted that students would still be able to use the facility for PE under school supervision, but unsupervised use by minors would be restricted under the proposed waiver and supervision rules. After discussion the council voted to approve the MOU by resolution and separately approved a staff authorization and $7,000 expenditure limit to begin prioritized work so the facility can be usable before the next budget cycle.

Staff will seek multiple bids for individual scopes cited in the proposals (painting, doors, HVAC, ceiling repair) and report back to council on progress and additional funding needs at the next meeting.