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Board weighs demolition, repair or sale after district buys church parcel next to Roy Junior High
Summary
District facilities staff outlined completed purchase of a 3.13‑acre church parcel next to Roy Junior High, presented contractor estimates that repairing the adjacent old gym could cost $3.3M–$4M, and said demolition of the church (and possibly the gym) is being planned with stakeholder outreach to Roy City and school leaders.
RO Y CITY — Weber School District facilities staff on April 8 told the board the district has completed purchase of a 3.13‑acre church property adjacent to Roy Junior High and is weighing whether to sell part of the property, repair the school’s old gymnasium, or proceed with demolition.
Larry Hadley, the district’s facilities and operations executive director, said the church building has been decommissioned and that the district has received an asbestos report showing only limited asbestos in non‑occupied locations. Hadley said the district has allowed Roy City police and fire to use the church for training while final decisions are made.
Hadley presented a rough order of magnitude (ROM) after site walks with contractors: a base estimate of about $3.3 million to replace the gym roof, repair and refinish the floor, and update mechanical systems; when asbestos abatement, engineering, general conditions and fees are added, the project could approach $4 million. He said demolition estimates for the church (and for the gym portion, if needed) range from about $60,000 to $70,000.
The ROM also identified heavy, end‑of‑life air handlers and aged mechanical coils that would require roof reconstruction to accommodate modern units, driving much of the cost. Hadley told the board, “That ROM came back at $3.3 million,” and added that full project costs would include abatement and coordination fees.
Hadley said the district previously negotiated an MOU with Roy City that allocates a city share of building‑upgrade costs; using the ROM numbers, the city’s 20 percent share would be roughly $83,000, but Hadley said Roy City officials told the district they could not afford a major rehabilitation.
Board members pressed staff on the facility’s day‑to‑day value to Roy Junior students and the wider community. Principal Melinda Stimpson told the board she has fielded outreach from community members and that the district is working to identify alternate gym space and program impacts if the facility is removed. Board members said they want more discussion with Roy City and local stakeholders before deciding whether to invest in repairs or to demolish the building.
Hadley said legal counsel drafted a required 60‑day notice and that staff plan to schedule demolition work during summer break if the board and stakeholders authorize it, in order to minimize student exposure and liability. He said the district will continue stakeholder outreach, including a scheduled meeting with Roy City leadership to review costs and options.
The board did not take a vote on repairs, sales or demolition at the meeting. Hadley told trustees the options will be refined and that staff will return with recommended next steps after the follow‑up meetings and additional cost analysis.
