Journey North gets OK to lease Franklin for Saturday night services

Journey North Community Church will be allowed to lease the Franklin Arts Center auditorium for Saturday night worship services for the next 12 months, the Brainerd School Board authorized Monday on a 5-1 vote.

Board member Tom Haglin opposed the motion. The board also approved the first reading of its amended facilities and equipment use policy. This policy addresses long-term rental agreements and provides the district with the right to relocate or adjust scheduling of outside entities based on district needs with a minimum of 120 days notice prior to a scheduled event. The policy also states the district will work to relocate the outside group to another venue in these circumstances.

Several Journey North church members, as well as members of the local arts community, including Geritol Frolics members, attended Monday's meeting. Arts community members previously told the board that if the church holds a long-term lease on the auditorium for Saturday nights, it will discourage other arts-related groups from renting the auditorium in the arts center.

The auditorium was booked for 53 dates last year; 47 of those were for worship services for Journey North and the other six times the auditorium was rented for Geritol Frolics performances.

However, the auditorium was booked for 53 dates last year; 47 of those were for worship services for Journey North and the other six times the auditorium was rented for Geritol Frolics performances.

Superintendent Steve Razidlo said school district staff will attempt to open dialogue with representatives from different areas of the arts community to find out what other opportunities may exist for them by leasing the auditorium from the district. He said the district could lease the auditorium to Journey North on Saturday nights and also find out if various arts community members feel shut off from the auditorium at the same time. He said the district has been able to honor requests most of the time.

Journey North pastor Mark Bjorlo asked the board if the church could lease the space from 4-8 p.m. Saturdays for the next year. Bjorlo previously told the board that the church will work with the district if other groups wanted to lease the auditorium for Saturday performances as long as it is given enough advance notice. The Geritol Frolics will continue to perform there on its scheduled dates.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@ brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.