BROOKINGS – County commissioners have agreed to buy the Outdoor Adventure Center of South Dakota (formerly known as the Outdoor Learning Center) from First Bank & Trust for $975,000.
On a 4-1 vote, the commissioners approved the motion, which had been tabled during the June 20 regular meeting, during a special meeting on Thursday.
As outlined in the purchase agreement, First Bank & Trust, which now owns the assets of the OAC, will sell the county the building and all rights to the building for $900,000 and sell the OAC accounts, inventory, equipment, documents and the like for $75,000. The deadline for the payment is Oct. 1, 2017.
Since last summer, Brookings County has been interested in purchasing the OAC and the land it sits on with the intent that the property could then host 4-H. In August, the OAC board offered its $3 million facility to the county for the same amount as its debt: $900,000. The city then proposed giving the county $500,000 plus the land in exchange for the resource center at the Swiftel Center, meaning the final cost to the county would come to $400,000.
That figure would now come to $475,000 with the additional cost for the OAC accounts, inventory, equipment, documents, government payments and programs, investment property and deposit accounts.
The county’s purchase of the OAC is contingent upon the city selling the land underneath the OAC to the county.
Most of the county commissioners spoke favorably of the decision, referring to various opportunities this purchase could have for 4-H.
For County Commission Chairman Larry Jensen, one of the perks is the potential to add more services and recreational opportunities in the county, especially if Game, Fish and Parks moves onsite.
Commissioner Mike Bartley agreed, noting that Brookings County doesn’t operate any county parks. He added that the OAC building has the potential to become one of the nicest 4-H buildings in the area.
Commissioner Stephne Miller voted against the purchase agreement for two reasons.
“One, I don’t think it’s the best place for 4-H, and two, we started at a dollar figure and we ended at a way different dollar figure,” Miller said.
Krogman acknowledged that this might not be perfect, but the pros were sufficient enough to persuade him. “Could we have found something perfect, I don’t know. But in my mind, this is a very nice facility (for) 4-H. I think the sky is the limit for their program. I’m hoping 4-H really takes advantage of this opportunity and expands their programs and opportunities with their location right next to the Nature Park.”
After the purchase agreement was passed, the commissioners gave Commission Department Director Stacy Steffensen direction on where funding for the purchase will be drawn from.
It was determined that $500,000 would come out of the county’s building fund, which could then be replenished by the $500,000 payment from the city for the resource center. The remaining $475,000 would be paid with general fund dollars.
Contact Eric Sandbulte at esandbulte@brookingsregister.com.
