Kaysville City Council on Thursday authorized staff to proceed with design and planning for a proposed joint gymnasium at Kaysville Junior High, a partnership the Davis School District and local architects described as a way to deliver large, recreation-style gym space to the city at a lower per‑unit cost than a standalone municipal center.

Architects from VCBO and a district representative presented an initial concept showing a stand‑alone gym with a perimeter running track, spectator seating and shared fitness and office space. The council’s action directs city staff to continue design coordination with the school district and the architects and to return with further cost and contract details.

Supporters at the meeting urged the council to seize the opportunity. “It’s a win‑win,” Brian Turner of the Davis School District said during the presentation. VCBO architect Bridal Peterson said the model has been used elsewhere in the county and allows a city to get “a rec center for a quarter of the price” of a standalone facility.

The preliminary concept shown to the council includes a two‑court main floor that can be striped for basketball, volleyball or multiple pickleball courts, retractable seating, locker rooms for the school and a second‑level fitness and cardio area that could be served separately from school spaces. Architects said design and bids could be ready to bid by late fall or early winter and that construction would likely take 18–24 months after a contractor is selected.

Several residents urged the council to approve the partnership. Gil Miller, a longtime resident who spoke during the public‑comment portion, said he regretted a similar council decision that blocked a school partnership years ago and urged the council not to repeat it. Laurie Cragan asked council members to balance recreation spending with public‑safety needs, particularly a future West Side fire station; Michelle Barber, who said she now serves on the Davis School District board, supported the district as a reliable delivery partner and said the district will manage construction to budget.

Councilmembers discussed financing options, including using a portion of the city’s dedicated recreation (RAMP) sales tax and bonding. Jason (city manager) noted preliminary estimates tying a 25‑year bond for the city share of the gym to a modest annual per‑household cost and said the city would bring a construction manager on board to refine costs. Councilmember comments ranged from full support to caution about timing and total cost; no interlocal or funding commitment was finalized Thursday.

The council voted to authorize staff to continue planning and design work with the school district and the project architects. The motion carried; council members did not adopt a binding interlocal agreement or formal bond at the meeting. Additional public meetings, a more detailed cost estimate and a draft interlocal agreement were identified as the next steps.

The council and staff indicated they will return with a clearer financing plan, a construction schedule and a proposed interlocal agreement for council consideration before any final funding decision.

Looking ahead, the school district representatives said they hope to have a construction manager on board by mid‑July and to be ready to put the project out to bid late this year. Final costs will depend on design, market conditions and contract awards.