Provo City

Proposed Recreation Center


Brief Summary

 
Provo residents have often expressed interest in better recreation facilities. After more than two years of study, including substantial input from the public, a proposal for a new recreation center is now on the November 2 ballot.
 
The proposed recreation center would be located in North Park (500 N. 450 W.) and offer a number of amenities, including a walking/jogging track, leisure pool, competition pool, fitness equipment, exercise studios, basketball courts, racquetball courts, drop-in child care, a senior center, community meeting space, and more.
 
Construction of the building would cost approximately $39 million. City officials have considered a number of funding options and determined that general obligation bonds would be best. General obligation bonds would allow construction to begin while costs and interest rates are low, and would make it more likely that those paying for it would get to use it.
 
The bonds would cost the owner of an average $195,000 home about $76 per year for 20 years. For the first three years, that would include the cost of the current library bond, so it would be about $31 more than the owner is paying now. That's an increase of $2.60 per month.
 
 
When it comes to operational costs, the new recreation center would likely save money. It would replace several outdated facilities--the current Recreation Center, the Eldred Center, The Center, and parts of the Veterans Memorial Pool--all of which are expensive to operate and need significant capital improvements.
 
If the proposal passes, the new facility would likely be completed by fall 2012.
 

Additional Information

 

Read the recreation center PowerPoint presentation here and summary handout here.

 
Read the Provo Recreation Center Feasibility Study, including complete list of amenities and site and floor plans, here, and executive summary of citizen survey here.
 
Read about the history and status of the proposal here.
 
Read the ballot language here.
 
Calculate the cost for your home here.
 
View the September 7, 2010, public hearing here (part 1) and here (part 2).
 
View the December 8, 2009, presentation by the feasibility study consultant here.
 
View the December 8, 2009, presentation on the funding options here.
 
View the September, 2009, City Beat segment, including a tour of other cities' facilities, here.

Ask Questions or Comment

 
Provo City will hold two public information meetings about the proposed recreation center, one on Tuesday, September 14, and another on Tuesday, October 26, both at 7 p.m. at the City Center, 351 W. Center St. Questions and comments may also be emailed to recreation@provo.utah.gov.
 

Election Information

 
This year's elections will be managed by the Utah County Clerk/Auditor. Find polling hours and locations, absentee and early voting instructions, sample ballots, and more here. You can also find your polling location with Provo City's interactive map here.