WEATHERSFIELD — Township trustees have decided that because of high construction costs, they will no longer proceed with building a multi-jurisdictional education workforce development training center at the park off state Route 46.

Trustees at their meeting Tuesday passed a resolution to withdraw accepting a $300,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, which is through the Ohio Department of Development.

Trustee Chairman Steve Gerberry said costs have increased for the project, making it impossible for the township to construct the building within its available budget.

“The project will be too costly,” he said.

The motion terminates the grant agreement contract. Officials said no funds have been distributed to the township, so no funds are required to be returned.

Trustees in late 2024 decided to reject design build proposals for the multijurisdictional community center as they reevaluated funding for the project. Trustee Richard Harkins said previously the building was estimated to cost between $800,000 and more than $1 million.

Planned was a 91-foot-by-70-foot, one-story, 6,300-square-foot center with large and small meeting rooms and a warming kitchen to be used by safety forces and other groups. The center would have been located west of the township gazebo.

Trustees are moving forward to have new pickleball courts installed at the park by September. Trustees will spend $150,000 in American Rescue Plan funds they received from the county commissioners to add pickleball courts and fencing there.

CEMETERY ACCIDENTS

In other business, trustees entered into a settlement agreement for insurance claims with Progressive Specialty Insurance Company of Mayfield Village for $23,090 for a crash on Dec. 8, and $12,055 for a crash on Dec. 12, both at the Ohltown Cemetery.

Township Administrator David Rouan said the two separate and unrelated accidents damaged property and headstones at the cemetery.

Officials said the two accidents were in the same area of the cemetery, but on separate days, with damage to the cemetery fence and memorial markers. Rouan said neither accident was weather related.

Also, the trustees recognized Seaborn Elementary School, which was recognized as a 2025 Hall of Fame School by the Ohio Association of Elementary Administrators.

Seaborn was one of 11 elementary schools across the state to receive the designation.

A plaque was presented to Seaborn Principal TJ Koniowsky as well as Weathersfield Board of Education members and school officials who attended the meeting.