Decision time

HARTINGTON — About three dozen area residents came to the Skylon Ballroom Monday night to take a look at the facility they will soon decide to either raze or relocate.

Hartington city residents will vote on a $1.6 million bond issue in the May 14 primary election to relocate and refurbish the facility, which has served as Hartington's community events center since 1952.

Local citizens will also vote on a $1.1 million bond to build a new city shop for the city's fleet of vehicles, equipment and supplies.

Skylon Ballroom owner Roger Wortmann said the facility will hold its final events this summer. It will then either be torn down or moved to a lot in the new industrial park.

Wortmann said the facility must be relocated or razed to make room for his main business, Plumbing and Electric, which is located just to the north of the Skylon.

Monday night's meeting was residents' final chance to get more information on the projects before they begin voting this week.

Cedar County Clerk Jessica Schmit said the ballots for this year's primary election would be mailed out to voters April 24.

Hartington City Council members and Mayor Mark Becker fielded several questions about both the Skylon and the proposed new city shop during Monday's 75-minute meeting.

Mayor Becker said if the public votes to relocate the Skylon, it will not only be moved, but also enlarged and updated. The new Skylon would be larger and would feature a new floor and new bathrooms, he said.

Becker said voters have a tough choice to make on May 14.

'It's in your hands. We will honor your wishes,' he said. 'We're either going to move and update the Skylon or we're not.'

An events center is a necessary component to a successful community, Becker said, so the city will work to get another facility if voters reject this plan and the Skylon is torn down.

Becker said if the proposal is rejected, city leaders will develop a plan to build a new event center.

'That would probably cost double,' he said. 'The choice is yours, though. Refurbish the Skylon or build new.'

Former City Utilities Supt. Pat Guy told the audience a new shop is long overdue.

'That city building is outdated. It's too small. It's held together with cable and infested with bats. It's out-lived its purpose. It’s definitely time,' Guy said.

Audience members questioned if the proposed city shop is the right size or not, some resident suggesting its bigger than what we need.

Current Supt. of Utilities Corey Kraemer said the city has 14 large pieces of equipment, so the machinery will have to be 'double stacked' in the building since a seven-door facility is being planned.

'We have equipment stored all over right now,' he said. 'It would be nice to have it all in one place.'

The city currently stores equipment and supplies at the city shop, in the old fire hall, in a horse barn and at the city auditorium, he said.