One of the biggest properties in Everly has a new owner.

The Clay Central/Everly school board on Oct. 7 officially agreed to sell the district's former 7-12 grade building to Guardian Educational & Athletic Services (GEA) for $5,000. The sale includes all outbuildings on the 10.8-acre lot, which hasn't housed students since 2019.

GEA, a non-profit firm, approached the district in late-July with plans to transform the facility into an "intermediate college program" geared towards post-secondary students interested in honing both their academic and athletic skills for the next level. For founding member Brent Koppie, the board's decision was a step towards making the group's dream come true.

"It's not an idea that's just a fleeting thought or anything else," he said about GEA's plans. "We've got a lot of time and money invested into it up to this point already. We really want to move forward and are just very excited at the opportunity."

Everly Mayor Brad Behrens addressed Koppie and the school board with concerns about the building should GEA's plan fail. Demolition costs have been estimated at upwards of $1 million, and Behrens said the city would have no ability to pay for the bill if the property gets abandoned.

Behrens was also concerned about GEA's revenues and feared the cost to heat the building would be more than the firm could bear.

"I want to stay positive, but if you guys are up and gone...we don't have a million dollars to clean this property up," he said. "I want any business that comes to town to work, but this one is very on the fence."

Koppie said a majority of GEA's revenue will be derived from tuition. Other cash streams from fitness center memberships and events hosted on the property are possible, but they would be marginal.

Koppie also said GEA intends to allocate funds to an account for cleanup should the group's plan fail.

"It's really something we hope we never have to use, but we want to be prepared," he said. "A lot of towns have an old school building, and that's not good. They do become an eyesore, an attraction for vandals and things like that. There are a lot of negatives to it."

Koppie also said GEA hopes to abate asbestos inside the building "a little bit at a time" once they take ownership. He acknowledged Behrens' concerns and understood the concerns of city officials and local residents.

"It's very important for us to be as good to the City of Everly as everybody is being to us," he said. "I know intentions aren't worth much, but we want to put some actions to words with it and be able to right away show the community what we can do for them, too."

CC/E Board Member Denny Dalen was questioned by a community member prior to the meeting whether GEA would allow local residents on the property or if it would bar them due to liability concerns. Koppie said the firm intends to obtain a strong liability policy so citizens can have access to the facilities.

"The last thing we want to do is hang up private property signs over everything," he said. "That facility is used a lot...we want to keep it open to the public. We want the community to use it as much as possible."

GEA is planning to have a soft opening with around 10-20 students for the 2021 spring semester. Koppie said a lot of work needs to be completed before January, but he said interest has been strong and believed GEA owed it to the students to open its doors.

"I think it's incumbent on us to meet that goal. It's going to be a push, there's no doubt about it," he said. "We'd like people [in Everly] to drive by and see things happening out there."

Board Member Brian Schmidt believed it would be best from a public relations standpoint for GEA to get up and operating as soon as possible to ease residents' concerns. Koppie agreed, but hoped the community would give GEA some time to get its feet underneath itself.

"I do understand that it's a risk for everybody that's involved," he said. "It's a risk for the board members, it's a risk for the city and it's a risk for us, but we believe very strongly and very passionately about what we're doing with this."

Koppie was joined by fellow GEA founding member JJ Cassaro, who was also confident the program would find its legs eventually.

"I think over time we can definitely ease those concerns given the opportunity to push this program forward," he said. "With the people and volunteers we have involved, I really think the program is going to be a success on its own. I'm just looking forward to giving these kids an opportunity."

Behrens hoped GEA would find success, however, he felt it was important for the firm to be aware of the community's long-term concerns.

"As a small town, we cannot take on a million-dollar demo. We just hope something doesn't happen and then you're gone," said Behrens. "We wish you all the best from the city council and the City of Everly. We want to be positive from the community end, but on the other side you've gotta see where we're coming from."

Koppie understood the doubts and extended an open line of communication with city officials moving forward.

NICK PEDLEY/SENTINEL-NEWS

GEA founding members Brent Koppie (left) and JJ Cassaro (right) were on hand to answer questions at last week's board meeting.

"It's something we're dedicated to and something that we'll work very diligently on," he said. "I wish I could come up with the right words to assuage any concerns with it, but unfortunately I can't. No matter what I say, I think those concerns are going to exist."

The school board voted unanimously to sell the property to GEA. The sale will be complete once legal counsel finalizes paperwork.

"We're really interested in hopefully better utilizing that facility instead of seeing it go to waste," said Koppie. "The response so far has been pretty incredible as far as the enthusiasm level from people that are looking at coming."