Two new facilities with lap and recreation pools, indoor courts and turf fields, top rope and bouldering walls, and fitness and weight rooms could be built in the Snyderville Basin — if voters are willing to pay for them.
The Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District announced its intent to pursue a general obligation bond to fund the construction of two new facilities, located in Silver Creek Village and Jeremy Ranch, on the November ballot.
The Silver Creek Village project would be larger and aquatics-focused, while the East Canyon complex on the Cline Dahle parcel would be courts and climbing-centered. District leaders said the goal is to alleviate crowding at the existing Fieldhouse, prepare for population growth and expand fitness offerings to provide a full-package experience.
Basin Recreation had considered a bond to build another facility for a decade but never formally pursued one because residents might not back it. However, Executive Director Robert Parrish told the Summit County Council on Wednesday that feedback collected earlier this year shows there could finally be enough support for voters to approve the funding.
Parrish wasn’t ready to disclose how much the bond would be worth or how much it would increase residents’ property taxes, though he anticipated those numbers would be ready next month. Parrish said district officials are looking at structuring its current bond debt so the impact of the new bond would not go on top of the existing debt.
He noted the key question for voters will be how much more they are willing to spend for what they’re gaining in return.
“We asked (survey takers) about whether they would see … a $75 to $150 a year increase as reasonable, or $150 to $200 to $300,” Parrish said. “There were quite a few respondents that say that there was value if we could do both these facilities. There’s value in that higher, higher range.”
In May, Basin Recreation conducted open houses and an online survey, which garnered about 1,400 responses, indicating there’s “suppressed demand” with the existing Fieldhouse.
About 61% of respondents said they avoid The Fieldhouse due to crowding, and 51% of people who have never actually been said they avoid it for the same reason. The survey also found 29% of people use the facility less often than they want, with 25% choosing somewhere else because of The Fieldhouse’s capacity.
Parrish said an upcoming impact fee facility plan also shows the building will reach capacity next year, while residents already feel it’s packed in practice. He noted the number of new housing developments, including those at Cline Dahle and near Silver Creek, and said the demand for recreation will outpace Basin Recreation’s current capacity unless new facilities are built.
Public input appears to have inspired Basin Recreation to expand its plans for the facilities.
The Silver Creek Village recreation center was initially proposed at 76,000 square feet — smaller than the 84,000 square foot Fieldhouse — but residents said that was too small. Parrish said the building would be increased to 120,000 square feet.
Silver Creek was also the favored site for aquatic activities. Community feedback favored a family recreation pool with slides, similar to the South Summit Aquatic & Fitness Center, and noted more than four lanes would be needed for a lap pool.
“The community shows … don’t go small,” Parrish said. “Don’t make it too small from the beginning. Go the right size.”
Other amenities could include an indoor turf, larger than the current field and sized for 9-v-9 soccer, as well as the ability to divide the field so two teams can practice. Parrish said the intent is to relieve pressure on indoor and outdoor fields and allow earlier-season practices. There would also be a track and more space for strength, cardio and fitness training, as well as specialized practices like yoga and Pilates.
The East Canyon complex in Jeremy Ranch was also too small for residents at 42,000 square feet. Parrish said the working plan is to expand the building to 64,000 square feet, which will still fit on the property despite wetland constraints.
The larger complex will allow Basin Recreation to implement a “full spec” climbing facility, which was a strong desire among residents. Parrish envisioned 40-foot climbing walls for top rope and space for bouldering, something to serve as a replacement for The Mine, which was a former bouldering gym in Kimball Junction. There would be three additional indoor courts for basketball, volleyball, racket sports and multi-use programming, too.
Parrish said public feedback also favored a wellness identity at the East Canyon location. This could include a sauna and cold plunge, essentially pairing fitness and recovery spaces to create a “total wellness” experience.
The ultimate goal is for the two new facilities to be differentiated but complementary to The Fieldhouse. Basin Recreation also wants to target niche fitness communities such as climbers or pickleballers, who would travel to use the facilities.
Parrish said the three facilities would be spread across key neighborhoods in the Snyderville Basin, providing residents with diverse fitness options closer to home and allowing them to avoid overcrowding. One Basin Recreation membership would provide access to all three facilities.
The district also plans to present a new fee structure before the next budget cycle, which will clearly state what a Snyderville Basin resident pays versus a nonresident.
“I think that’ll go a long way to showing our residents that … we’re charging them appropriately, but the nonresidents that are coming in, they’re going to be charged completely different rate, and it’ll be visible and viable,” Parrish said. “Then those fees come right back into the programs and help support the facilities.”
He added that property taxes may also trend down as more people move into the district and contribute to paying off the bond.
Parrish said the bond is passable, but there’s a trust that must be built. Around 58% of people surveyed in 2023 said the district does a good job, but less than 24% said the district uses tax money wisely. Initial support for the bond three years ago was just under 49%, which was below the passage threshold.
“We know we have some gaps to overcome,” Parrish said.
Public outreach and messaging will be key for Basin Recreation over the next few months. A second round of public sessions is planned for July 8 and Parrish will return to the County Council on July 15 with another update, including the proposed bond structure and refined costs.
County councilors were largely in support of the two-facility strategy rather than a phased approach separated by years because of construction costs. They advised Basin Recreation to develop clear, simple messaging about why the facilities are being built, why they’re needed now and how property tax bills will be affected.