The Bellevue City Council on Monday, Aug. 5 unanimously approved an agreement with Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue that allows the organization to lease a portion of Hidden Valley Park to build and operate a gymnasium.

The organization intends to build a $5 million gym at the 17-acre park a few blocks north of downtown, on 112th Avenue Northeast. The 21,500-square-foot building will include three full-sized basketball courts and accommodate baseball batting cages and multiple sport courts, for sports including volleyball, badminton and pickleball.

The city has no financial obligation for the gym, but would have access to it at no cost for community use, when it is not being used for BGCB activities.

Under terms of the agreement, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue will construct, own and operate the gym, and lease the park land for $1 per year for 50 years. The city will continue to manage and schedule the use of Hidden Valley Park, and both the BGCB and the city will operate on-site programs and coordinate schedules to manage parking impacts and optimize community use of the gym and sports fields.

The council also agreed that the city will equally share the cost with BGCB to complete up to $6 million in park improvements, including:

n Converting the currently lighted field to synthetic turf;

n Converting two additional infields to turf;

n Adding a new unlighted sports field at the north end of the park; and

n Parking, circulation and stormwater drainage improvements.

Funding for the city’s share of the project (up to $3 million) will come from the voter-approved 2008 Parks & Natural Areas Levy. Construction is expected to begin in late fall or early spring and be completed by the end of 2014.