Parks deptartment approves Y lease

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A permanent resident will soon occupy the old Riverbank Fitness Center and they'll take over sooner than you might think.

The Terre Haute Parks department held a special meeting Thursday to approve a leasing agreement for the Riverbank Fitness Center.

Late last year, the Parks Department gave the Clay County Y the rights to enter into a leasing agreement.

Wednesday, the Clay County Y board of directors approved the lease and at Thursday’s special meeting, the Parks Department approved the document as well.

It won't be final until it's signed, but here are some of the high points of the lease. During the 1st twelve months of the lease, the Y will not pay any rent to the city.

Rent will kick in during years two and three. Utilities will also not be paid by the Y during the first two months, but after that, they will assume utility control gradually.

After more than a year sitting empty, the city is anxious to get the property off their books.

"It was one of those expenses we took on we wasn't expecting. I actually didn't put it in my 2012 budget because I was kind of hoping we'd have an agreement set and ready to go. And I wouldn't have to worry about making those payments,” Eddie Bird of the Parks department said.

The Clay County Y will sign the agreement later on this week and then it will be official.