The District continues to negotiate with the First Baptist Church at The Villages for purchase of their former home in Marion County.
If the purchase is made by the Amenity Authority Committee, the church would be converted into a recreation center.
District representatives have a meeting next week with Rev. Robert Perry to continue to discuss the possible purchase.
The purchase would be contingent on receiving approval from Marion County for changes the District would make to the property.
“All we are doing is looking,” said AAC Chair Ann Forrester. “No decision has been made.”
The purchase is being driven by The Villages plan to build 300 additional courtyard villas in Community Development District 4. Residents have complained that the two existing recreation centers, Chatham and Mulberry Grove, are already crowded and more residents would further tax the facilities.
First Baptist moved into its new facility on SE Hwy. 42 a little more than two years ago. The old facility is being used as a fellowship hall and meeting place for churches without a brick-and-mortar home.