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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate NEWS NOW Rogue Valley companies accused of subscription fraud sued by FTC ... Since You Asked: Crater Lake morels kept as evidence in case of trials ... Pokemon app is luring crowds to downtown Medford ... Rogue Valley companies accused of subscription fraud sued by FTC ... Since You Asked: Crater Lake morels kept as evidence in case of trials ... Pokemon app is luring crowds to downtown Medford ... OUR VIEW Our View: Rec center proposal is intriguing Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 23, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Jun. 23, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News The idea of a private business building a recreation center in Hawthorne Park and making it available to the public during evenings and weekends is worth serious consideration. City officials should make sure the city's interests are fully protected, and that any deal worked out with the business is fair to all concerned. Jackson County Physical Therapy, which is now in a building adjacent to Hawthorne Park, needs more space for sports therapy. The owners have proposed to the city that they build a new facility on park property that could include a gymnasium and an indoor soccer arena. The physical therapy practice would use the facility during business hours, but make it available to the city Parks and Recreation Department in the evening for basketball, indoor soccer and other activities. Parks Director Brian Sjothun has said the city could use more gym space and venues for indoor soccer. It's just a concept at this point, and details remain to be worked out. But in principle, a project that would cost the city nothing to build but create usable athletic space on city-owned land is a mutually beneficial arrangement. The physical therapy business would lease the park land for $1. Concerns include maintenance costs — would the city contribute to heat and light bills, cleaning expenses and so forth? Liability is another consideration. Who would be responsible for carrying insurance in case of an injury to a player? Also, it's not clear whether such an arrangement would be fair to other physical therapy practices in the area. There are a number of them, and others might be interested in an essentially free building site. It might make sense for the city to issue a request for proposals and then choose the one that best meets the city's needs. If the concerns can be addressed to the city's satisfaction, there is no apparent reason to reject such a mutually beneficial partnership. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 23, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501