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Craig — Pete Bergmann, Moffat County School District superintendent, said he has mixed emotions about a failed proposal to expand a gymnasium at Craig Middle School.

"I respect and understand the council's decision," Bergmann said. "But, at the same time, I'm disappointed that we weren't able to add this space to the community. My disappointment comes from the fact that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity passing by."

His words came Wednesday, a day after the Craig City Council rejected the school district's request for $365,000 of the city's $651,000 surplus fund. The money would have allowed the school district to build a second full-size gymnasium at the middle school.

That facility would have added needed gym space to the area and been available for community use.

The city requested an additional 12 feet of space be added to the gym, allowing for more activities. The extra space was one factor in the amount requested to the city increasing from $150,000 to $365,000.

The council unanimously rejected the funding request.

Several councilors said money from the surplus fund should be used for its original purpose - purchasing new equipment for city departments and funding capital improvements - rather than recreation.

"I understand the decision - the city went with the needs and priorities of its department heads," Bergmann said. "That, coupled with the struggling financial times, and I understand why they didn't want to move on the project."

Joel Sheridan, school district construction liaison, said the school district shouldn't be blamed for bad timing.

"I understand the decision was about poor timing, but no one could control that," Sheridan said.

When the cost of the gym increased, the chances of it receiving the city's backing dwindled, Bergmann said.

"Like (Councilor) Bill Johnston said at last night's meeting, 'It was a good deal at $150,000 and a bad deal at $365,000,'" Bergmann said.

Bergmann said even with the increase in price, the city missed an opportunity for needed gym space.

"It's unfortunate - it was a unique opportunity to build a gym for the city at a reasonable cost," he said. "That's why we brought it to the city in the first place."

Sheridan said the City Council had to consider its own budget before making a decision about the gym, but because of the lack of gym space in Craig, the council should have considered the project.

"We elect them to make the decisions that are best for the city," he said. "At the same time, as a taxpayer, I want (the council) to look in to any situation where they can leverage dollar for dollar in a way that would best benefit the city."

If the city were to build another gym, it would cost taxpayers a lot more than $365,000, Bergmann said.

"To build an unattached gym - finding another location, the mechanics, the heating, ventilation, ongoing staffing - it would wind up costing the taxpayers over $1 million," he said.

The auxiliary gym at the middle school will be adequate for the district, Bergmann said, but would be too small for the city.

"The gym we designed, and will build, will suite the needs of the schools," he said.

Sheridan said the city's decision would not interfere with how the school will operate next year.

"For me, as a school district employee, it's not an issue as we move ahead with our curriculum," Sheridan said. "When we were designing the space, we knew we had to incorporate another class of physical education, and the space will still allow us to do that.

"We did what we could do, and in the end, it didn't work out. That won't stop us from using the space we budgeted for."