GIBBON — After 25 minutes in closed session Wednesday, the Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Board approved a purchase agreement for a Twin Cities firm to buy the former Fairfax Middle School building for $53,000.

Action came on a motion by board chairman Phil Klenk, seconded by Jason Haas.

The school sale closing date with Retro Companies Inc. of Burnsville is on or before Feb. 1, 2021.

Superintendent Jeff Horton said under the agreement, the school district can lease both school gyms, locker rooms, a new concession area and drop-off and pick-up zones for $1 a year, for up to 99 years, without any maintenance costs.

“The buyer will do some great things for the property and help community property values. We want people to come to the Fairfax gym for events,” said Horton.

He said Retro Companies will spend more than $500,000 on the former school property to create new gym concession areas, a new multi-purpose room, new bleachers and update locker rooms.

Property updates are to be completed by Aug. 1, 2022, Horton said.

Meanwhile, winter school athletic practices begin Jan. 4, 2021, (according to school guidelines released Wednesday by Gov. Tim Walz), Horton said.

“Listening and collaboration were key in this journey that is helping bring financial stability to the school district,” Horton said. “It’s been a long hard journey, but I think will end with a positive outcome.”

Horton said after talking to many Fairfax leaders and organizations including the EDA, county, city and local faith leaders, plans call for using the former school as a community recreation center for things like adult leagues when the school district is not using the property.

Horton thanked the school board and community members that worked with him on school property issue during his 100-day plan that began last summer.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@

nujournal.com).