Has anyone ever considered what a blessing the community has that the gym at the corner of Vine and Monroe is still standing? Build around 1952, it was considered the best and most modern in southwest Iowa in the 1950s and early 1960s. It was prized for sectional tournament play, and on several occasions three sectional games would be played in one night, starting at 6 and ending before 10.
It would be a crying shame to tear down this building when it could be effectively used by three different entities. This gym is attached to the Jeffersonian apartments, with the rec center one block away and the public library two blocks away.
The Jeffersonian, with 25 apartments, would have an advertising plus by stating that the gym is an incentive that renters cold exercise during the cold, wet season without going outside.
Secondly, the rec center wants to expand and have two more basketball courts at a cost of $7.6 million.
Thirdly, the library want a $4 million expansion, even though we have a declining town and county population. We also have five other libraries in the county.
By utilization of this gym we could save roughly $11.6 million from donors and taxpayers. The gym has two basketball courts and the upper level could have an indoor pickleball court. A walking track could be created around the basketball courts, and the lobby could be used as an exercise area.
The stage and band room cold be used by the library for internet access, books, and non-traditional items such as musical instruments, baking pans, science kits, and in addition to meeting rooms.
Other added amenities that exist are locker rooms, a kitchen area, plus adequate parking areas. Yes, the building needs a heating system, but that would only be a fraction of $11.6 million to build new.
Hopefully, our community has learned their lesson about “throwing good money after bad money” which involved the financial disaster with the Forge and Gravitate. Denny Lautner, Jefferson
