GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- A Boy Scout camp in Grand Island will soon be owned by the city. 

Back in June, the Grand Island City Council voted to buy Camp Augustine.

Mayor Roger Steele said it had been a project in the works.

“We started working on the Camp Augustine idea about two years ago, and we came up with the idea that the city should purchase the former Boy Scout camp called Camp Augustine,” Steele said. 

Big plans are ahead for the 156-acre campground which was owned and used by The Boy Scouts of America and now it might get a new life. 

“The city sees this as an opportunity to develop more recreational land right next to Interstate 80 which will benefit the residents of Grand Island and also the people of Nebraska,” Steele said.

According to Boy Scout Executive Director Dave Plond the property was beginning to be too costly to maintain. 

Steele plans to incorporate the community and their ideas.

“We want to have more camping spaces added, and some other amenities, maybe a children’s education center,” Steele said. "I want to gather those ideas from the people of Grand Island."

Steele said they will meet sometime to work with the Nebraska Game and Parks to find a way to include it into the Mormon Island Recreation Area. 

“I just think it’s very exciting,” Steele said. "I think this will be a great opportunity to develop more recreation opportunities for the people of Grand Island." 

For now, the cost that has been approved by the city is $2 million. The plan is to finalize the sale by Oct. 31.