City of Lawton purchases all improvements at School House Slough

The City of Lawton will own all the assets associated with School House Slough by week’s end.

City Council members, acting in their capacities as council and the Lawton Water Authority, approved agreements Wednesday that set the purchase and sale of $2.875 million in assets built by the former concessionaire at School House Slough over the 25 years he held the lease. A settlement agreement also approved ends disputes between the City of Lawton and School House Slough Inc. about the lease agreement terms that specified the lessee who succeeded School House Slough Inc. would have to buy those improvements.

Acting City Attorney Tim Wilson said while the lease agreement specifies the purchase of improvements built upon the concession area, the City of Lawton has not selected a new concession operator and has managed the area itself since Kent Waller ended his lease Dec. 31, 2022. Council members and the Lawton Water Authority (a function of the City Council) agreed late last year the city would purchase those improvements for $2.875 million, action formalized at Wednesday’s special meeting in time for Friday’s closing.

The price was the middle of three appraisals done on holdings at School House Slough: a 2,096-square-foot convenience store built in phases between 2000 and 2016; fuel dispensing system with gas dock and 5,000 gallon above ground fuel tank; and 96 dry storage stalls, 57 covered wet boat slips, 49 camper sites, 54 trailer sites and miscellaneous structures. Appraisals ranged from $3.1 million to $2.7 million.

Wilson said equally important were agreements signed by the City of Lawton and School House Slough Inc., each releasing the other from all claims. City officials have said the agreement clears issues associated with School House Slough as the city proceeds with plans to find a new concessionaire to operate some amenities while also planning to expand recreational amenities there and on other lake concession areas.

Wilson said the council already agreed to take funds from the utility system bond note it approved in late 2023 to pay for those amenities.