Preston council pledges 10‑year extension for archery club lease to help grant application
October 13, 2025 | Preston, Franklin County, Idaho
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The Preston City Council voted to commit to a 10‑year extension of the archery club lease when the existing agreement matures in November 2027, provided final lease terms are negotiated and agreed by both parties.
Archery‑club representative Benton Christiansen asked the council for a verbal commitment so the club could improve its chances for a building‑improvement grant that requires a multi‑year lease. Christiansen told the council a grant reviewer had indicated better odds for awards under $50,000 if the club could secure at least a 10‑year lease; projects above $50,000 often require 15–20‑year commitments.
Council members debated whether to extend the current agreement immediately or to promise a 10‑year extension at maturity. Several council members said they were comfortable committing in principle and negotiating specific terms — such as deposits, hours, maintenance responsibilities and potential revenue or rental changes — at a later date. One council member suggested amending the lease duration now and negotiating the remaining terms later; others worried that locking duration without agreed terms might bind the city to unfavorable conditions.
Council ultimately approved a motion committing to a 10‑year extension at maturity, with the extension “subject to terms” to be negotiated and documented before the new agreement is executed. Councilmembers emphasized the city and the club would still negotiate maintenance, deposit and scheduling details; staff said the current agreement could be amended at that time.
Background and next steps: the current lease expires in November 2027. The city has budgeted roughly $50,000 for archery‑building improvements and council members discussed combining city funds and potential grant funds to improve the facility, which also houses a local food pantry. The club said typical planned improvements were painting, lighting, flooring and a room divider and that those likely fit the under‑$50,000 threshold favored by grant reviewers. Council asked staff to return with the negotiated terms and to work with the club to finalize the lease language before the grant deadline.
Archery‑club representative Benton Christiansen asked the council for a verbal commitment so the club could improve its chances for a building‑improvement grant that requires a multi‑year lease. Christiansen told the council a grant reviewer had indicated better odds for awards under $50,000 if the club could secure at least a 10‑year lease; projects above $50,000 often require 15–20‑year commitments.
Council members debated whether to extend the current agreement immediately or to promise a 10‑year extension at maturity. Several council members said they were comfortable committing in principle and negotiating specific terms — such as deposits, hours, maintenance responsibilities and potential revenue or rental changes — at a later date. One council member suggested amending the lease duration now and negotiating the remaining terms later; others worried that locking duration without agreed terms might bind the city to unfavorable conditions.
Council ultimately approved a motion committing to a 10‑year extension at maturity, with the extension “subject to terms” to be negotiated and documented before the new agreement is executed. Councilmembers emphasized the city and the club would still negotiate maintenance, deposit and scheduling details; staff said the current agreement could be amended at that time.
Background and next steps: the current lease expires in November 2027. The city has budgeted roughly $50,000 for archery‑building improvements and council members discussed combining city funds and potential grant funds to improve the facility, which also houses a local food pantry. The club said typical planned improvements were painting, lighting, flooring and a room divider and that those likely fit the under‑$50,000 threshold favored by grant reviewers. Council asked staff to return with the negotiated terms and to work with the club to finalize the lease language before the grant deadline.
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