By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

            After months of discussion, Levy County Commissioners this week approved an application allowing non-profit, charitable, and government organizations to use the old Bronson High School gymnasium.

            The application is a compromise solution from the original discussion of leasing the gymnasium to the Town of Bronson and Bronson Youth Sports, Inc. for recreational activities.

            County officials say the facility use application requires a deposit of $100 per day to use the gym, but there is no rental fee. If the activity goes beyond a day, the $100 deposit rolls forward.

            The renter will be responsible for any damage to the facility and must carry insurance.

            The county construction and maintenance office directly across from the gym will take applications. The gym use agreement allows the county to give organizations a door key to the gym. The key can be placed in a drop box at the construction and maintenance office when the organization finishes its activities.

            “It may not be the total solution. It may be that we need to update it in the future. This is a starting point for different groups to allow them to use the gymnasium,” said County Coordinator Wilbur Dean.

            Dean said the aging gym was built with taxpayer dollars countywide and should be available for use by any non-profit, charitable, or government organization in the county.

            A reporter covering the county commission meeting said the gym was indeed constructed with countywide tax dollars, but it was built specifically for Bronson youth, not the entire county.

            Commission Chairman John Meeks said he supported the idea of giving Bronson use of the gym but the idea didn’t find support from the full board.

            “It’s the only thing we could come up with that would pass this board. I’ve already tried the other method,” Meeks said.

            Commissioner Matt Brooks also said he thought the idea was to lease the gym to Bronson for youth recreation.

            “Is it specifically for the Town of Bronson?” Brooks said.

            “No. it’s not specifically for the Town of Bronson,” Dean responded.

            “Is there a reason we did that? I thought that kind of…”

            Dean interrupted.

            “We heard from other organizations like the historical society and other folks. We realized we couldn’t limit it to one,” Dean said.

            Meeks agreed.

            “How do you shut out Otter Creek and other communities?” Meeks said. “The other thing, this form will not only go with the gymnasium but for the use of other facilities. As the county grows, we will have something in place a little bit better than a handshake and a promise.”

            Commissioner Rock Meeks, who was selected to be chairman in 2022, also felt that more groups should be able to use the facility.

            Dean agreed.

            “You can’t say it’s only for Bronson residents,” Dean argued.

            The reporter commenting on the gym use application reminded commissioners that Bronson kids are currently playing at night at James H. Cobb Park in poor lighting conditions and occasional rain.

            The reporter added that there will be competition for use of the gym.

            The gym in the past has been used by a Bronson church for youth activities, by the Levy County Historical Society, and for youth activities connected to a school in Otter Creek.

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Board of County Commission Regular Meeting December 21, 2021; Posted December 23, 2021