---

Kego Township and the City of Longville have entered into a Joint Powers Board agreement, for the purpose of developing the Greater Longville Area Community Center (GLACC). The two entities formally joined forces, Friday, to work towards acquiring the Longville School and property to be used as a community center. Board members are: Chairman, Fred Smith; Vice Chair, Jocko Kline; Secretary, Kam Kamueller; and Treasurer, Laura Hansen.

Smith and Kline, over the past several months, have been in discussions with the School Board for Northland Community Schools, providing information on their intentions. The School Board gave the entities the opportunity to hold public meetings, by postponing any decision on the future of the Longville property until after April 1.[[In-content Ad]]

The groundwork for GLACC, included getting estimates of the cost of maintaining the building and grounds in its present condition; cost of asbestos abatement; and cost of utilities. GLACC estimates an annual cost of approximately $50,000 to maintain the property, including heat, sewer and electric. Smith said the estimated tax implications would be roughly $19.80 per $100,000 taxable market value to residents in the township and city. Kego Township has budgeted $41,000 for the community center's maintenance.

At Friday's meeting, GLACC approved a proposal for the Longville School property to be submitted to ISD #118. All sealed proposals will be opened on Tuesday, April 19, during a meeting of the district's buildings and grounds committee. The final vote is scheduled to take place at the board's regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, April 21, at the Crooked Lake Town Hall.

GLACC's reasoning for wanting to acquire the property is simple. The school district did not purchase the majority of the school property. The was rebuilt following a fire that destroyed the original school building in 1968. The district then acquired the bulk of the property with the consolidation of the Remer and Longville School Districts. GLACC's board recognizes the efforts of the citizens in and around Longville, who were directly responsible for improvements to the property, including the tennis courts, basketball court, playground, baseball diamond, volleyball pit and the Lions Pavilion.

GLACC intends to, first, acquire the property. No improvements would be seen during the first year. That time has been designated as a period to seek funding through grants, donations and fund raising events hosted by GLACC. In the future, additional income would come rental royalties and usage fees.

The GLACC board will meet the second Tuesday of each month, at 1 p.m., at the Longville City Hall.

---