WEATHERSFIELD — Township trustees have decided to reject design build proposals for the planned multijurisdictional community center as they reevaluate finances for the project.

Trustee Richard Harkins said at Tuesday’s meeting the building is estimated to cost between $800,000 and more than $1 million.

“We are determining how much money we have to spend on the building. We are seeking additional grants and other funding sources for the project,” Harkins said.

He said the township already has $800,000 for the project and would like to get closer to $1 million to $1.1 million for “a complete build.”

The center would be located at the park off state Route 46.

Last spring, Township Administrator David Rouan was asked to apply for a community project funding appropriation through the office of U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Bainbridge, for a Rural Development Community Facilities grant in the amount of $447,000.

Rouan had previously said the appropriations are done annually for local projects with the center project qualifying for that program

Officials have said the township has received $800,000 in grant funding so far. A large portion — $500,000 — is through an appropriation from the 2020-21 Ohio Capital Budget and $300,000 is from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Last year, trustee chairman Steve Gerberry said the most recent project bids were $1.4 million or more. Rouan said there are no additional programs for which the township can reapply for funding.

Planned is a 91-foot-by-70-foot, one-story, 6,300-square-foot center with large and small meeting rooms and a warming kitchen to be used by safety forces and other groups The center would be located west of the township gazebo.

In past years, trustees have said the police department and other law enforcement personnel, as well as groups such as the historical societies, 4-H and Scouts, could use the building.

They said the center will be a welcome addition to the park, which is used for a variety of events such as the Flag Day Festival, fall Oktoberfest, Easter egg hunt, holiday tree lighting and local youth sports.

If awarded the $447,000, Rouan said it would go toward some of the site work, paving the parking lot, lighting and landscaping.

In other matters, trustees have received $150,000 in American Rescue Plan funds from the Trumbull County commissioners. The money will be used for four pickleball courts at the park.

Trustees are using the remaining ARP funds they previously received for road department purchases. Rouan said there is a very minimal amount of leftover ARP funds.

In other business, Trustee Ed Whittaker thanked fire officials for coming out on Thanksgiving Day after residents of Sable Creek Drive smelled a gas odor. He said the odor was checked by firefighters and then disappeared.