— Finance Committee members approved a recommendation to move forward with a proposal to turn a hangar at Love-Hatbox Sport Complex into an indoor play center.

The proposal was tendered by Show It Off, a local company that rents inflatable structures such as bounce houses and slides. Under the proposed agreement, the limited liability company would pay the city 20 percent of the revenue generated by private and public events.

The company also would be responsible for carrying liability insurance and maintaining the building.

The hangar in the proposal was used once as an indoor skate park. Part of it now contains batting cages. Jason Jones, a managing member of Show It Off, said it the company was “open to the possibility of leaving these batting cages in the building and working with the parks department on the operation of these cages” if they remain open.

“We believe this proposal is a perfect opportunity to partner with the parks department to help grow the Love-Hatbox Sports Complex and possibly bring in tourism in a building that is right now underutilized,” Jones stated in his written proposal. “This play center will provide a place for parents to host birthday parties ... in a safe, fun environment.”

Jones said he anticipated that the center would draw people from outside the community. If the center proves successful, Jones said, he  might add a miniature golf course or go-cart track.

Parks Director Mark Wilkerson said the hangar is known now as the Batter’s Box. It is available by reservation only for baseball and softball batting practice but is not used as much as it could be.

Alternative uses for the hangar have been considered in the past, including the addition of a center similar to what Jones proposed, Wilkerson said. The lack of funding thwarted progress.

“This is the type of thing I think the (Hatbox) study will propose along with a public-private partnership,” he said. “It complements what we have going on out there already ... (and) has a lot of potential.”

City Attorney Roy Tucker, in response to concerns about limiting future use, said any use agreement would provide an escape clause if the hangar was needed for a public purpose.

Once the proposal wins City Council approval, which is expected Monday, city administrators will begin negotiating a use agreement with Jones.

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot@muskogeephoenix.com.