Rexburg negotiating possible recreation center lease

The Rexburg City Council is negotiating with owners of “The Zone” to purchase the business and assume its lease.

The Zone is a recreation-based business located in the former Hortense Hewitt building. ARTCO sold the building to Development Workshop, Inc. several years ago and the Zone leases it for its programs.

By arrangement with The Zone, the city recreation department has also used the facility for some of its programs. City Clerk Blair Kay said the building has been remodeled to include a variety of recreational facilities ranging from turf fields to volleyball courts. He said the city also has some of its own equipment, including basketball standards, already located there.

The City Council authorized City Finance Officer Matt Nielsen to open negotiations with owners of the Zone to purchase the assets of the business from its two owners.

He will also negotiate with Development Workshop an agreement that would allow the city to potentially lease up to 20,000 square feet to host city recreation programs.