A three-way agreement between Fort McCoy and two neighboring cities brings the military base one step closer to building a hotel and recreation center. It’s called the Army Community Covenant.

Military leaders and the mayors of Tomah and Sparta are coming together - to help make things better for soldiers and the community.

"We fully recognize that our soldiers are entitled to a quality of life that is comparable to their service, to our nation and this is a demonstration of that commitment," says David Chesser with the U.S. Army.

The Army hopes the Covenant will help create new business on the base and in the communities. The Army is interested in building a new on-base child development center and a new hotel and recreation center. Leaders say the covenant is the first step in reaching those goals.

"Our soldiers will be able to take advantage of those opportunities, as well as their family members and civilian workforce in town to take advantage of this as well."

Tomah mayor Ed Thompson and Sparta mayor John Sund both signed the covenant. Thompson says he's excited about the chance to work more closely with Fort McCoy.

"I'm just thrilled to be part of it. You put it right on paper. That's how much we appreciate Fort McCoy and I know how much Sparta appreciates Fort McCoy. It's the biggest financial impact of our whole county."

Chesser says he hopes this agreement will create a better life for everyone involved.

"What's most exciting about the Community Covenant from the Army's point of view is that we have gained support of local communities. We have the mayors of Tomah and Sparta here and we have their commitment."

The Army hopes to have the child development center finished by next spring.