Bellbrook-Sugarcreek board approves boosters'backed plan for on-campus athletic training facility

The Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Local School District Board of Education on Aug. 8 approved a resolution authorizing a gift/license arrangement with the Bellbrook Athletic Boosters that clears the way for the boosters to raise money to construct an athletic training facility on district property.

Under the agreement described by the superintendent, the boosters will be permitted to fundraise and, once they reach a $1,000,000 threshold the board described as sufficient to begin construction, they would notify the district that they are ready to start. The superintendent said the complete cost including equipment was estimated at about $11,200,000 and that the boosters intend to donate the finished facility to the district, after which the district would be responsible for upkeep and maintenance.

The resolution was moved and seconded during the meeting and approved by roll call. The superintendent summarized the district's legal review and said the board previously authorized special counsel to assist with similar agreements.

"Once you reach $1,000,000 dollars, which is enough to build the facility, you're gonna come ... and say, 'we have the money. We're ready to start building,'" the superintendent said, describing the boosters' fundraising trigger and the district's subsequent review before construction begins.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the legal framework and construction timeline; the administration said the boosters might raise more than the threshold and estimated a rough fundraising timeline of about a year to reach the initial goal. The board approved the resolution, enabling the boosters to proceed with their fundraising and formalize the license and gift agreement.

The next step is for the boosters and district attorneys to finalize the license and gift documents and for the boosters to report back when fundraising milestones are met.