Lockhart approves $1.75 million purchase of former theater for indoor recreation center

Lockhart City Council voted on March 18 to approve a real estate sales contract to acquire a former theater at 120 West MLK Jr. Industrial Boulevard for $1,750,000 and to authorize estimated closing costs of $10,000, with the intent to convert the property into an indoor recreation center identified in the city's parks, recreation and open-space master plan.

Assistant City Manager Joseph Rezendes summarized the acquisition process: the property was listed at $2,600,000, appraised at $1,650,000 and negotiated to a $1,750,000 purchase price. The building is roughly 13,293 square feet, has about 24-foot interior ceilings (suitable for court sports), and sits on slightly more than two acres with roughly 104 parking spaces and visibility from U.S. 183. The site is adjacent to city-owned airport property, which could allow future expansion or additional outdoor courts, staff said.

Parks and Recreation Director Travis Hughes described preliminary retrofit needs: expanded restroom/shower capacity, a childcare room near the lobby, administrative and training spaces, ample storage and a small kitchen for banquet use. If a second floor is used, an elevator and an additional stairwell would be required to meet code. Hughes said staffing would likely include at least two managers to cover extended hours and weekends, part-time instructors based on programming, front-desk staff and increased custodial service because of shower and fitness use.

Council members debated whether to buy the site as an immediate, smaller-scale recreation center or aim for a larger facility near the planned aquatic project. Some members emphasized the property is a time-limited opportunity and a relatively quick path to a functioning facility; others cautioned it may not be ideally centralized and suggested alternate uses (banquet/convention space or leased office space) if the council later builds a larger rec center. Rezendes said next steps, if the purchase is approved, include closing (on or before April 30), procuring an architect via a qualifications process and developing concept renderings and cost estimates; staff intends to use general fund balance for initial acquisition with later reimbursement via a planned certificate of obligation tied to the aquatics project.

Action: Council Member Westmoreland moved to authorize purchase of the property at $1,750,000. Council Member Michaelson seconded; the motion passed 6-0.

Hughes estimated a retrofit of the theater to a rec center (not a new build) would take about 12 months once construction begins. Staff underscored the building is workable for many recreation and banquet purposes and could be retrofitted again later if a larger, purpose-built rec center is constructed.

Ending: The council authorized acquisition and directed staff to pursue design procurement and concept development; closing is scheduled on or before April 30, 2025, and architects and cost estimates will follow.