By creating this non-reverting fund, the city ensures that 100 percent of the money from fundraisers or donations remains available for park use; otherwise, in keeping with protocol established by the State Board of Accounts, only 20 percent of the monies would be available for park use and the remaining 80 percent would be placed in the city’s general fund.

Ordinance 3742 was passed on first reading as well. This measure establishes rental fees for the larger, enclosed shelter houses located in Baker and Osborne parks. The ordinance established a one-day rental fee of $35 for City of New Castle residents and a $50 rental fee for non-residents.

The measure also states the board of public works and safety, in consultation with the New Castle Park Board, shall establish rules and regulations regarding the use and rental of these facilities including the development of a rental agreement form, establishment of rental fee payment procedure, establishment of cleaning costs or damage deposit requirements and other rules, requirements and regulations regarding the use of park shelter structures. It also stipulates that 100 percent of all fees generated by the rental of shelters shall be deposited in the park non-reverting fund.

Council president Mark Koger stated he thought the council had previously established rental fees for park shelter houses, but clerk-treasurer Christy York stated that was not the case.

“It’s been talked about several times but ... it was never put in the form of an ordinance and presented to establish a fee. It’s always been free (to use park shelter houses) because certain council members at that time said a fee shouldn’t be charged,” Christy York said.

“We’re wanting to create some ownership, for this community to take ownership and pride of our parks,” park board president Patty Broyles, a member of the audience at Tuesday’s city council meeting, said.

Also passed on first reading was Ordinance 3743. This establishes rental fees for the old armory, which the city owns, and creates a cumulative non-reverting fund in which those fees will be placed in order to provide for future maintenance of the facility.

The fees were set at $100 monthly per office for basement and second floor office space; $200 monthly per office for main floor office space; $200 per day for banquet parties (renter does set up and break down); $250 per day for banquet parties (city does set up and break down) and $500 per day rental for shows and booth events.

This ordinance also states that charitable and not-for-profit organizations may rent the facility free of charge provided these organizations do not interfere with existing rentals, provide a damage deposit in an amount to be determined by the board of public works and safety based upon the nature of the use and provide the board of works with proof of their not-for-profit or charitable status.

Mayor York pointed out that the city spends, on average, approximately $50,000 a year on utilities and other items necessary to maintain the building and for six years has not seen a return on that investment.

The consensus of the council was the city should move forward with the idea of converting the former armory into a community center.

“I think it’s a great idea if we do it cautiously and in the right way, especially with it being on the Robert Indiana Arts and Culture Campus,” council member Aaron Dicken said. “It could be a huge asset to that area.”

“I think it’s a win-win,” Koger said. “We’ve set on this for six years paying $50,000-plus and it’s time for us to at least roll the dice and try something.”

Watch for a follow-up story on the idea of converting the armory into a community center in an upcoming edition of The Courier-Times.