Council approves lease of former middle school, trims startup appropriation to $150,000

The Seward City Council voted unanimously July 27 to authorize a five‑year lease of the former Seward Middle School from the Kenai Peninsula Borough and to appropriate funds to begin converting the building into a community recreation facility.

City Manager (unnamed in record) told the council the lease would run five years “for a dollar a year” while the city would pay utilities and small maintenance; the packet estimated roughly $250,000 a year in utilities historically and requested $83,000 for the remainder of 2026 plus $150,000 for one‑time startup costs such as computers, furnishings and gym equipment. “We also would be responsible for small maintenance costs,” the manager said, adding that major items such as roof and HVAC would remain the borough’s responsibility under the short lease.

Councilors raised questions about membership transfers from Avtech and the level of detail in the one‑time appropriation. Parks & Rec staff said existing Avtech memberships would transfer to cover both facilities and that staff capacity is sufficient for the initial two years. Councilor Draper (functional label recorded on the transcript) moved an amendment to reduce the total appropriation in the resolution’s title from $233,000 to $150,000; the amendment passed unanimously and the amended resolution then passed on a recorded unanimous vote (Warner, Calhoun, Osinga, Draper, Barnwell and Mayor McClure recorded as voting yes).

Council members and staff described program possibilities that include the Boys & Girls Club, a teen center, nonprofit leasable spaces and a commercial kitchen for community use. Administration said they will return with a more detailed line‑item list of how the $150,000 would be spent if council wants that refinement.