FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2007

HEATH, OHIO – The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority and the City of Heath recently reached an agreement which will extend Heath’s current lease with the Port Authority for the Heath Community Recreation and Fitness Center at the Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center (The Base) in Heath through the Year 2016. As with the current lease, Heath pays no rent for use of the over 17,000 s.f. facility owned by the Port Authority.

The Rec Center’s presence at The Base dates back to 1998 when it took over operation of the former Fitness Center at the Newark Air Force Base.

"We are most appreciative of the continued goodwill of the Port Authority," said Mayor Daniel Dupps. "Their extension of the Rec Center lease at no expense to the city reflects their commitment to community partnerships." Dupps added that the recreation facility was "a great community asset for the Heath community at-large, and The Base employees, in particular."

The lease extension comes on the heels of an aggressive membership drive underway at the Rec Center. The Rec Center boasts members from among the employers at The Base as well as the Heath community. Information about the facility can be found at www.heathohio.org.

“The Port Authority and our customers are extremely fortunate to have the City of Heath as a partner in providing a strong quality of work life at The Base. The Rec Center is a true gem,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Platt. “We hope this long-term commitment to the Rec Center provides a spark to future facility upgrades and improvements.”

Late last year, the Port Authority celebrated 10 years since privatization of the Newark Air Force Base. The Port Authority has grown to the fourth largest in Ohio and, since it receives no taxpayer money, is the largest self-sustaining port authority in Ohio.