Brent Tippets of VCBO Architecture presented the results of the study in a meeting with the Provo Municipal Council, Parks and Recreation Board, Senior Citizens Board and others on Dec. 8. According to the study, public interest is high, and a new facility could both significantly increase recreational opportunities and reduce operational costs. 

 

The feasibility study began in mid-2008 with a random survey of 2,000 Provo households, followed by additional surveys, a public open house, meetings with stakeholder groups and recommendations by a citizen implementation committee. 

 

Tippets reported in the meeting that 66% of those surveyed--an unusually high percentage--said they considered a new recreation center to be a medium to very high priority.

 

Tippets also reported that a new facility could replace, and operate more efficiently than, the city's four existing recreation facilities (the Recreation Center, the Eldred Center, The Center, and the Veterans Pool). A new building with all of the features identified in the study as important to Provo residents, including a running/walking track, an indoor swimming/aquatics center, multiple basketball courts, aerobics/fitness space, and more, would cost less to operate than the current facilities combined. 

 

While a new recreation center with all of those amenities could take as much as 150,000 square feet and cost around $33 million to build, city officials have yet to decide the size and scope of the project as well as the funding method for construction. The study pointed out, however, that the city's existing facilities would likely require significant capital improvements in the next few years if not replaced.

 

The study also recommended as a site for a new recreation center the city's North Park, 500 N. 500 West, based on several factors, including the central location, available acreage, and opportunity to maximize use of the existing Veterans Pool.

 

As part of the study, the citizen implementation committee recommended moving forward to take advantage of favorable construction costs and interest rates that are likely to increase in the future. 

 

City staff discussed possible funding options at the meeting, including extending the city's library bond, which is almost paid off. In combination with other strategies, residents could pay for a new recreation center with what they've been paying for the library. The next step is for city officials to formulate a plan and obtain any necessary voter approval.

 

Watch the presentation and read the executive summary of the feasibility study (under "agenda") here.  Read the complete study (PDF) here.