The city of Fort Dodge and the private Fort Dodge Community Recreation Center have joined forces in pursuit of federal grants.

An agreement between the two was approved unanimously without discussion by the City Council Monday.

The agreement sets up the framework under which the two entities would apply for grants from the federal Inflation Reduction Act to help pay for a new recreation center.

Building a new recreation center has been a goal of the community for more than a decade. In that time, new centers have been proposed at First Avenue South and Sixth Street and in the 900 block of First Avenue South in connection with a planned renovation of the Warden Plaza and construction of a multi-modal transportation center.

The Community Recreation Center’s main facility is in the former YMCA at First Avenue South and 15th Street. It has additional facilities in the former Fareway store on Second Avenue South and at Iowa Central Community College.

In a separate measure, the council authorized the city staff to apply for a grant. The amount to be applied for was not listed in the measure approved by the council.

That grant application must be submitted by Nov. 21.