LEBANON — The school district and the city are considering working together to build and share a gymnasium that could double as a recreation center.

        But it's too early to say how the project would be paid for, school and city officials say.

        The school board plans to put a $50 million bond issue on the May ballot for new school facilities, including a $32.4 million high school. If the bond issue passes, gymnasium facilities planned for the new high school could double as a community recreation center, said schools Superintendent Bill Sears.

        Community members and school sports teams could use the facilities at night, while students use them during the day, he said.

        “I agree with that 100 percent. There's no use having those facilities sitting unused,” Councilman Ron Pandorf said during Wednesday's City Council work session.

        But if the facilities will be shared, the city should fork over some cash, too, Councilman Jim Reinhard said.

        “I think this is a great opportunity with a new administration in the schools and in the city to benefit the community,” Mr. Reinhard said. “There's no reason to share the facilities if we're not going to pay our part.”

        The city's finances are tight, largely because of its recent construction of a $9.2 million telecommunications system. That has caused a recreation/convention center plan to be rejected before.

        City Council considered buying a former Erb Lumber building on Deerfield Road for a recreation/convention center last year but passed because of the $1.5 million price tag.

        The joint recreation center/school athletic facility could save the city money on a project already under consideration, Mr. Reinhard said.

        If the school-city partnership flies, Lebanon won't be the first to form one.

        Mason undertook a city/school district building effort for a joint high school and community recreation center in August 1999.

        School district residents approved the 6.78-mill bond issue in March 2000, and Mason community leaders broke ground last summer for the $71.9 million complex.

        The project includes a 355,000-square-foot high school, scheduled to open in September 2002.

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