Members of the Leighton Township Board Thursday evening voted 4-0, with Treasurer Jaci Bultsma absent, to use $650,000 in federal ARPA funds to purchase the site of the old Moline Elementary School and surrounding property.

The Township Board six years ago adopted and ordinance amendment to allow owner Steve Austin to use the structure as a home and a business. Austin needed the rezoning in order to conform with other zoning in the area.

Austin in the six years since used the old elementary as a home and business for his business in Moline, Happy Camper, which repairs recreational vehicles. It is adjacent to the Moline Softball Association fields.

The Wayland Union school district sold the building for $45,600 and Leighton Township bought 3.9 acres of the surrounding property for $24,000 to ensure the Moline Softball Association could continue and expand use of the softball fields already on site.

“I don’t think it’s money well spent,” objected Planning Commission member Steve Shoemaker, noting the discrepancy in what Austin paid six years ago and what he’s getting now.

Trustee Brian Bonnema commented, “We should have bought it (the building and property) then.”

Fellow Trustee John Hooker answered, “We couldn’t because we didn’t have the money then.”

Austin purchased the old elementary building in hopes of moving his equipment repair business into it and using part of it for a residence. He also made an agreement for use of the softball fields by the Moline Softball Association without conflicts.

Leighton Township now must make plans to raze the former elementary school building, which as of 20 years ago was deemed to have fallen into an advanced state of disrepair. The building site and surrounding property now will be used for further recreation in Moline, particularly pickleball courts. The township now has at least 12 acres.

Austin has been co-owner of Happy Camper Mobile RV Service and Retro Rentals of Caledonia with his wife, Shelly. They did repair and restoration to campers, motor homes and vintage campers. They also restored vintage campers for Retro Rentals.