WASHINGTON CITY — The oldest residents remember when the city’s old gym was a gathering place for music and dancing, plays and weddings. Due to some old-school thinking and recreational taxes, those days could soon return.

At the corner of Main Street and Telegraph Street stands an old two-story school building constructed in 1909, where the city museum currently resides.

In 1924, a gymnasium was added to the rear of the building, Washington City Mayor Kress Staheli said. 100 years later, civic leaders want to use recreation, arts and parks taxes to renovate the building and reutilize it as a community center.

“The goal is to better utilize the (gym) portion of the building by integrating modern functionality while preserving the rich heritage of this sandstone structure, rooted firmly on pioneer grit and a lava rock foundation,” Staheli said in his monthly address to the city.

At a workshop City Council meeting held Jan. 10, Staheli said the City Council approved a motion four years ago to have 35% of RAP tax funds support the project.

Jason Joy, project manager for architectural firm Method Studio, updated the council on the early stages of design for the gym’s remodel. He said with renovation, the outside portion, currently a concrete basketball court, could be converted into a patio with outdoor seating for 120 guests.

Inside, another 160 could be seated for large events, for a maximum event capacity of 280 guests. Several facets of the building would remain, such as the play stage and wooden floors.

“We looked at this building trying to evaluate all the aspects of it,” Joy said. “The mechanical, electrical and structural aspects — and the technical ones.”

SIRQ Construction project manager Eric Dunn outlined a timeline for construction once the assessment and public feedback period is completed.

“It’s early so there is a lot of exploratory work,” he said. “But initially, we are thinking about a six- to eight-month construction period.”

Staheli said the first conceptions are only for perspective and feedback. The mayor noted two opportunities for Washington City residents to get a sneak peek inside the gymnasium.

“Your input is invaluable, and we want to ensure that the update reflects the history and priorities of our city,” Staheli said. “To that end, we will be conducting a special walk-through with several civic organizations to gather their insights and recommendations.”

From 5-7 p.m. on Jan. 29, a public open house is being held for all to tour the 2,600-square-foot building, check out initial plans and provide their support or concerns.

Staheli noted that the remodel on this project is specifically for the gymnasium, located behind the old school building that currently serves as the Washington City Historical Society Museum at 25 E. Telegraph Street.

It was an act of civic leadership that built the gymnasium, according to the history of both buildings by the Washington County Historical Society.

“In 1890, an act of the territorial legislature provided for free education at public expense, supported by taxes at territorial, county, and district levels,” the historical society’s website states. “Teacher’s salaries benefitted first and in 1905-06 the present school building was constructed. In 1922, a gymnasium was added to the rear of the building and in the 1930s central heating was installed.”

And a similar act by the City Council will be used to restore the building to be used by the residents of Washington City.

The building currently lacks water, Staheli said, adding that it has been maintained but unused for several years.

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