Coplay Borough Council and Coplay Athletic Club are at odds over the council charging rent.

At council's March 10 workshop meeting, the issues of rent and required liability insurance were discussed at length.

Councilman Charles Sodl said council decided the athletic club, an exercise facility located on the second floor of the municipal building, should be charged $144 for the space, $60 for electricity, $41.70 for heat and 10 cents per square foot for use of the facility.

"It may not be the most perfect system, I agree, but we have to start somewhere," Sodl said.

Sodl said that up until this year, the borough did not have a policy in place for renting and leasing borough property.

Sodl also pointed out that the athletic club does not currently have liability insurance.

"For all these years, the borough has been exposed legally," he said.

Coplay Athletic Club President Mike Miller said he is in the process of obtaining quotes from an insurance carrier. He said insurance costs could range from $1,500 to a few thousand dollars.

"It all depends on how they look at us," Miller said.

Sodl asked Miller if there is a return on the borough's investment of the club.

The club, Sodl also claimed, is paying the costs of utilities from taxpayer money.

According to Sodl, the club should not take issue with paying a "small share" for the facilities.

"It's not a small share," Miller stressed. "We're not trying to get over on anybody. You're saying the borough deserves to make a profit on a nonprofit?"

"There is no profit being made," declared Sodl.

Sodl also told Miller if the club does not secure insurance, the borough will lock the doors of the facility.

Miller assured council he will have definitive insurance quotes by the next council meeting.

"We're working on it," he said. "By next meeting, we'll have a price for you."

Based on information provided during the meeting, there are 84 club members, 47 of whom are Coplay residents.

Members are charged $85 for the first year and $65 for renewals, which Miller said is significantly less than area gyms.