Basin Recreation $71M bond returns for public hearing Wednesday

Summit County Council will hear public comment on the November bond measure and review updated facility plans and financial impacts

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — Snyderville Basin residents will have another opportunity Wednesday to weigh in on Basin Recreation’s proposed general obligation bond of up to $71 million, which will go before district voters Nov. 3.

The Summit County Council, acting as the governing board of the Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District, will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. at the Sheldon Richins Building, 1885 W. Ute Blvd., and via Zoom.

According to the county agenda, the hearing will take public input on the proposed issuance of approximately $71 million in general obligation bonds and the potential economic impact of the improvements and facilities financed with the proceeds.

The hearing follows the County Council’s Aug. 19 authorization of a special election on the bond proposal.

The $71 million request is less than half the size of Basin Recreation’s original $150 million proposal.

TownLift reported in August that the district reduced the request following public feedback and concerns raised by County Council members over the cost of an earlier plan for two indoor recreation facilities. The original proposal included a roughly 64,000-square-foot facility at East Canyon/Cline-Dahle and a roughly 120,000-square-foot facility at Silver Creek Village.

Under the revised approach Basin Recreation outlined in August, bond funding would focus primarily on one indoor recreation facility with an aquatics component. At the time, district officials said the precise site and design had not yet been determined and that additional planning would continue ahead of fall public meetings.

The official bond notice estimates the proposed bond would add approximately $120.94 per year in property taxes for a primary residence with a fair market value of $1 million and approximately $219.90 per year for a $1 million business property. The bonds would be repaid over no more than 20 years.

At an Aug. 13 Basin Recreation meeting, Executive Director Rob Parrish said permitting, design, and other costs would leave just under $60 million of the $71 million bond available for construction.

Wednesday’s agenda includes a Basin Recreation presentation on the bond’s financial impact and programming.

Residents may attend the hearing in person or participate via Zoom. Written comments may be submitted to publiccomments@summitcountyutah.gov by noon Wednesday, according to the County Council agenda.