Parkites sound off on Park City’s $30 million recreation bond

Outside the PC MARC. Photo: Park City MARC

'Pickleball? You must be kidding. Park City residents and employees have an immediate need for child care, affordable housing and improved transportation'

PARK CITY, Utah — As election day looms closer, opinions on Park City’s $30 million recreation bond still remain decidedly mixed.

The proceeds from the bond would be used for fitness expansion at the Park City Municipal Athletic and Recreation Center, and new recreation amenities at the Park City Sports Complex at Quinn’s Junction.

New amenities would include indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, a Nordic ski training area, a pump track for bicycles, a refrigerated outdoor ice sheet, sports field lighting and expansion of existing maintenance facilities.

The debt service on the bond would be paid for by a property tax increase. Over a period of 20 years, the average homeowner in Park City would see an estimated average property tax hike of $137.20 per year for a primary residence, and $249.46 per year for a business or non-primary residence to service the debt.

On Oct. 23 TownLift issued a survey to gauge reader opinion on the issue. At the time of this article, 281 respondents said they’re against the bond, and 235 say they’re for it.

An overwhelming number of those surveyed commented that they did not want to fund facilities that would be used by nonresidents. Several readers suggested charging non-Park City guests a premium to use the facilities funded by the bond.

“Taxpayers in 84060 should not bear the burden, when the majority of users live elsewhere in Summit, Wasatch, or Salt Lake County. Or out of state.”

“Agree with charging higher rates for non residents for usage.”

“Charge out of town (non 84060) residents more.”

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Other readers commented against that viewpoint, stating that Park City residents are able to utilize county facilities that they do not pay to maintain.

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Several readers believe that funds from the bond should benefit other needs in the community rather than recreation.

“There are much bigger issues to focus our attention and $$$s on.”

“We have lots of recreational activities already.”

“Pickleball? You must be kidding. Park City residents and employees have an immediate need for child care, affordable housing, and improved transportation.”

What do you think about the bond? Sound off in the comments or take the reader poll here.