Sparta council approves $340,000 sale of Civic Center to local historical group; designates funds for preservation

The Village of Sparta Council voted unanimously Sept. 25 to accept a $340,000 offer from the Sparta Historical Friends to buy the Sparta Civic Center and approved a companion resolution to designate village funds for historic preservation.

Council Member Tom Peoples moved to accept the offer, and Council Member David Cumings supported the motion; the council approved the sale 7-0. The record lists the present council as President Robert Whalen and council members Brenda Braybrook, Robert Carlstrom, David Cumings, Courtney Mais, Tom Peoples and Bill Taylor; the motion minutes record a unanimous vote in favor.

Peoples then moved to approve Resolution 25-15A, a measure described in the meeting minutes as designating a portion of village funds for historical preservation efforts; Council Member Brenda Braybrook supported that motion, and the resolution also passed 7-0.

During the public-comment period reserved for agenda items, a participant identified in the record as David Keith commented about the Civic Center; the minutes do not record the substance of his remarks. Village Manager James Lower provided his routine weekly verbal update later in the meeting.

The council did not hold an executive session. President Robert Whalen thanked an anonymous donor during communications. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. and was adjourned at 6:31 p.m.

Formal documents referenced in the meeting record include the sales offer and Resolution 25-15A; the minutes do not provide further terms of sale, closing timeline, or funding-source details for the preservation designation.