BOUNTIFUL, UT — Despite opposition from the Utah Taxpayers' Association and several for-profit health clubs, voters approved funding for a new South Davis Cities Recreation Center in Bountiful, Utah.
In August, voters approved the proposal to fund construction of the new facility with a general obligation bond paid through an increased property tax. The local school district is slated to kick in $2 million for the $24 million facility, although recently there has been controversy as to whether or not the school district consented to this agreement. The school district's $2 million was to help with costs since the facility will be used by area students for school activities. Construction is set to start in spring 2005 with the recreation center's completion scheduled for October 2006.
The new facility will replace the current 30-year-old Bountiful Recreation Center, and although it will not be substantially larger, the new facility will have some new additions and features. These include an Olympic-sized ice sheet, a walking track and larger locker rooms.
“Everyone that supported it is very happy about it,” said Thomas Hardy, city manager of Bountiful City.
For-profit health clubs in the area expressed concerns that the 6,000-square-foot fitness center planned for the rec center would have an unfair advantage in offering these services since it is exempt from paying property taxes on that space.