B.G. buys church to use for classes, meetings

6/20/2001

BOWLING GREEN - Despite objections from some residents and one councilman, city council voted 6-1 Monday night to purchase a church on the city's west side for $636,000.

The Church of the Nazarene, at Wintergarden Road and Conneaut Avenue, is adjacent to the eight-acre Simpson Arboretum and will be used for gardening classes, fitness programs, meetings, and office space for the city parks and recreation department. The city will lease it to the congregation for $63,000 a month until it builds and moves into a new church in about two years.

Second Ward Councilman Patrick Ng voted against the purchase, saying the price was too high. He also questioned the need for such a facility.

Other council members said the price was appropriate for the 8,000-square-foot building and paved parking lot, and that the center would benefit the community.