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MARQUETTE COUNTY -- The "W" Community Center has been closed for nearly two years due to a lack of funding, but Monday night, the battle to re-open it continued at a special meeting called by the Marquette County Board.

The County Board discussed several options regarding the fate of the former West Branch Community Center; to buy it from a struggling West Branch Township, to lease it, or to leave it alone and allow it to go to auction on May 21.

The County already has a non-profit organization vying for the space if they can raise enough funding to pay them. The Hands Up Organization has already developed a business plan.

"We've actually proposed that Marquette County purchase the building but that we would pay it back in the long run which you could say is almost like getting a loan," said Lisa Johnson of the Hands Up Organization.

But that wasn't enough for some Board members who feel the County is not in the position to buy or lease the "W."

"We're into something that you know we're a third party and we're wagging and I don't think we should be doing it," said County Commissioner, Nick Joseph.

Yet other county board members believe it is the obligation of the board to make the purchase before the building goes to auction.

"We have an obligation to this community that's there because of Sawyer," said County Commissioner Bill Nordeen. "I mean you have a community that came from many different places that has no history of being together."

Those in support of the purchase say the "W" would bring the mixed community together. They also asked the West Branch Township board, who currently owns the "W”, for a price point so they can determine if they are willing to purchase it.

"I hope we can work together to get something that's probably not going to be real appealing to you, it's probably not going to be real appealing to us but that we somehow cut down some of that and get down to the brass tacks of it," said County Commissioner, Mike Quayle.

The West Branch Township Board insisted that before they come up with a price for the former "W", they want an answer from Marquette County; are they interested in buying it or not? Monday night's meeting was informal so no final decisions were made. Discussion about the "W" is scheduled to continue on Monday the 19th at the next Marquette County Board meeting.