Leitchfield — The Leitchfield City Council voted unanimously to pursue further study and to formalize a resolution supporting development of a proposed health and wellness center after a feasibility and financial presentation from Pinnacle Sports and public remarks from residents and local leaders.

Pinnacle Sports representatives presented a market feasibility study and a four‑year financial model for a recommended 50,000‑square‑foot facility combining two basketball courts/three volleyball courts, a 180‑by‑80‑foot synthetic turf field, an indoor walking track, flex community space and food and beverage areas. Pinnacle projected an approximate construction cost of $10,000,000 — described in the presentation as roughly $9,000,000 for building construction and $1,000,000 for equipment — and said the facility could reach operational break‑even between years two and three of full operation. Jared Karnes and Tad Brockman of Pinnacle answered council questions and explained the model assumes no debt service or land costs in its baseline scenario.

Britney (last name not provided), representing the Recreation Center Committee, asked the council for a written resolution so the project team could pursue near‑term capital opportunities. She told the council: “We are asking the city council to make a decision regarding your commitment to the project this evening. We have been made aware of some extremely significant funding that we have the opportunity to apply for … the turnaround time is tight and we would have to apply by the end of this month.”

Why it matters: Council members and several public speakers framed the proposal as an economic and health investment for Leitchfield and Grayson County — potentially attracting visitors, supporting youth and senior programming, and improving community health outcomes. Several commenters urged action; others asked for clarity about operating costs, tax impacts and whether the facility would duplicate services already offered by local small businesses.

Public comment and local officials: State official Steve Meredith (introduced himself as representing the Fifth District of Kentucky) spoke at length in support, citing past local efforts to build a similar facility and arguing the center could help economic development and recruitment of healthcare providers. He told the council he hoped to pursue an appropriation but did not promise a specific amount.

Tennis players and advocates urged the council to include indoor tennis or a multipurpose court surface; Greg Bernard and several tennis community members said indoor tennis could expand programming across ages. Local gym owner Carla Stauvers said her existing business already provides workout rooms and senior programming and asked the council to avoid duplicating services funded by grants.

Council action and next steps: Councilmember Tim moved to “pursue the building of a health and wellness center in the city of Leitchfield” (motion text as recorded). The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The council also voted to formalize the resolution in writing and to authorize the mayor to sign the formal document so the project team could present proof of local support to potential funding sources. Councilmembers and staff agreed to schedule follow‑up meetings with county leaders, tourism, the Grayson County Health Care Foundation and other stakeholders to clarify financial commitments and grant application needs.

Council members emphasized they were not committing to finance the project solely with city funds and requested clearer commitments from county and partner organizations before making binding financial promises. Tourism and the Grayson County Health Care Foundation were described in the meeting as having discussed contributions; tourism staff said tourism’s budget has included support for the project in recent years but did not state a dollar figure at the meeting.

Ending: Council members said the formal written resolution and follow‑up meetings would be used to pursue state and other outside funding opportunities and to refine the facility program (for example, multipurpose court surfacing that could accommodate tennis). The council’s vote was cast so the project team could move forward with time‑sensitive grant application deadlines.