“I’m looking forward to having a place to get away right here in the city,” City Councilor Kathy Henson said. “We all love to get up to the mountains, but I think this will be a real asset to the city and the greater community.”

The city will partner with Anythink Libraries to build the 40,000- to 50,000-square-foot structure, which will provide nature-themed programming to the public.

Romig said Anythink’s budget for the project is $50 million. According to the meeting’s agenda, Anythink will pay all capital costs for the construction, including a parking lot and exterior public restrooms.