Columbia City Council voted Dec. 12 to purchase the Mule Town Recreation Center and all associated assets for $4,300,000, approving the acquisition by unanimous voice vote.

Mayor Mulder, who introduced the item and moved for its approval, told council the facility would substantially expand the city's parks-and-recreation inventory. "If you consider what this project means to the parks and recreation inventory, we are essentially tripling the square footage under roof that we have in our current parks facilities," the mayor said, and noted the purchase would add two indoor pools and additional competition-capable pools. He said the city can make the purchase without straining the general fund.

Three residents who signed up to speak urged council to approve the sale. Carrie Nivens, a recent Columbia resident, said the center "has the nicest pools" and praised classes and camaraderie for seniors. Marsha Friil (name rendered in the record as ‘Friil’) said the indoor pool and fitness classes are scarce in town and stressed the facility's community value. Catherine Davis, a swim program director at Mule Town Rec, told council "Active communities thrive," described the center's multi-generational use and said she had observed families, seniors and athletes relying on the facility.

Councilmembers who spoke during debate emphasized both the recreational and fiscal rationale. Vice Mayor McBroom said residents told council they supported the purchase provided it did not require a tax increase. Council discussion noted prior city investments to keep the pools open and that acquiring an existing facility was more cost-effective than building a comparable center from scratch.

The motion to approve the purchase was made by Councilmember Tony Green; the roll-call/stated voices recorded 'Aye' from Mr. Coleman, Mr. Green, Miss Hardison, Mr. Marshall, Vice Mayor McBroom and Mayor Mulder. The mayor thanked the current owner, David Baxter, for keeping the facility available to the community during the negotiation process.

The next steps discussed included staff-led due diligence, planning for deferred-maintenance work and programming under the parks department. City staff and the parks director were cited as already coordinating short-term steps to integrate the center into the city's portfolio.

The council approved the purchase during its Dec. 12 meeting; no public opposition was recorded during the hearing on the item.