Board approves option agreement letting recreation district develop Quigley Fields and Cary courts on school land

The Blaine County School District Board of Trustees on Sept. 9 approved an option agreement with the Blaine County Recreation District giving the recreation district the right to develop Quigley Fields on school district property and to upgrade outdoor sports courts in Cary if a voter levy passes.

The agreement is intended to give the recreation district assurance it can begin development if voters approve a levy this fall. "The purpose for being here this evening is to execute an agreement between Blaine County Recreation District and Blaine County School District in preparation for the upcoming levy for Blaine County Recreation District," Director Bennion told the board during the meeting.

The board’s approval follows a November 2024 memorandum of understanding that outlined potential development of three parcels, including Quigley Fields; trustees were told that MOU had an effective date and a sunset and that the prior MOU is no longer active. Trustee Francine Turner noted a possible expiration: "It does say effective through May, 2025," she said during the discussion.

Why it matters: the option agreement is designed to allow the Blaine County Recreation District to spend levy proceeds on capital work — primarily at Quigley Fields and on sports courts in Cary — without the district carrying the upfront development costs. Director Bennion told trustees the recreation district would bear development costs, with the school district able to participate in decisions about what is built on the properties. "...from the school district perspective, it's a way to develop fields and facilities, fields primarily for Quigley at the cost of the recreation district," Bennion said.

Key provisions and local impacts - Quigley Fields: Bennion said the Quigley parcel carries a condition that it must be used for athletic purposes. If the school district chooses not to develop the site, it would remain vacant until a future decision; weed mitigation would be the responsibility of the developer in the interim. Board members were told the recreation district would undertake the capital work if the levy passes. - Cary courts: Bennion said existing courts in Cary have a cracked asphalt base and previously had a vinyl/ coating; planned upgrades would use more durable materials such as concrete panels and may include space that could be configured for tennis, basketball and pickleball. - Fees and maintenance: trustees were told that, beginning July 1, the recreation district will be charged the district’s Category 2 field-use fee structure — the same rates charged to other government entities and local nonprofits — which Bennion said will affect the recreation district’s operating budget and how the district schedules use of gyms and fields.

Questions from trustees focused on the status of the prior MOU, scheduling and maintenance responsibilities, and the interplay between future ownership and lease options. Bennion said the prior MOU had a sunset date and that the current document is an option agreement rather than a lease; future maintenance and scheduling agreements would be negotiated when projects move into development.

Board action and next steps Trustees moved and seconded approval of the option agreement; the motion carried on a voice vote. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the public minutes for the motion. Bennion and Mark Davidson were present at the meeting and answered trustees’ questions about the proposal.

The agreement does not create immediate development. The recreation district’s ability to build depends on voter approval of its levy; if approved, the recreation district will proceed with capital work and later negotiations with the district over scheduling and long-term maintenance.

Speakers quoted above appear in the meeting transcript and spoke during the action-item discussion on the Blaine County Recreation District agreement. The board combined this item with its broader agenda items and approved the option agreement during the Sept. 9 meeting.