What would happen if Luther College didn't renew the 25-year lease on the land for the proposed recreational complex?

The land that a proposed softball field, soccer field and recreational facility complex in Decorah would be built on is owned by Luther College.  The school has agreed to a 25-year lease on the property.  Supporters of the recreational complex say it's a generous offer.

But Thursday night City of Decorah and Decorah School District officials discussed a "what if?" question "What if the recreational complex is built on the land--but Luther College decides not to renew the lease after 25 years?"

Everyone involved in the discussion agreed that was an unlikely possibility.  But if it happened, the City of Decorah would have sold off one downtown softball field to the Decorah School District and would have torn up the other softball field--leaving it with no facilities.  City Council member Paul Wanless thinks the prudent step would be to offer the Decorah School District a 25-year lease on the one softball field, just like the lease Luther is offering to the city.

School district officials reacted cautiously to the proposal.  They will check with their attorney, then meet again soon with city officials.