Snyderville Basin homeowners could see roughly $250 added to their annual property tax bill if voters approve a $150 million general obligation bond for Basin Recreation on the November 3 ballot. The Summit County Council will hold a public hearing on the proposal Wednesday, August 5, at 6 p.m. at the Sheldon Richins Building Auditorium, 1885 West Ute Blvd.

The official notice, published Tuesday, July 28, confirms the council will consider adopting a resolution that would place the bond question before Snyderville Basin voters on Tuesday, November 3. The council is acting as the governing body of the Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District for purposes of the election.

What the bond would build

The $150 million would finance two new recreation facilities: a 120,000-square-foot aquatics and recreation center on district-owned land in Silver Creek Village and a 64,000-square-foot climbing and fitness center near Jeremy Ranch on county land, according to Basin Recreation's published plans.

The Silver Creek facility would include a lap and recreation pool, indoor turf field, running track, and space for camps and youth fitness. The Jeremy Ranch building would feature bouldering, top-rope, lead, and speed climbing walls, a smaller track, and indoor multi-purpose courts. Both would include weight training, cardio equipment, and childcare, KPCW reported July 21.

Together, the two buildings would add about 184,000 square feet of indoor recreation space. The existing Kimball Junction Fieldhouse is roughly 87,000 square feet and is projected to reach capacity in 2027, according to district planning documents.

Cost to taxpayers

At the full $150 million authorization, the bond would cost the median district homeowner, whose home is valued at approximately $1.3 million, about $250 per year, according to Basin Recreation's published estimates. For a $1 million primary residence, the annual cost would be approximately $203, based on preliminary figures from Zions Public Finance assuming a 20-year bond.

Basin Recreation Executive Director Rob Parrish told the council at its July 15 meeting that the final cost could land closer to $120 million to $125 million because the district is still working through concept design and several costs remain uncertain, according to TownLift.

Council concerns

Not all council members are sold. Council Chair Canice Harte raised concerns about long-term operations and maintenance costs at the July 15 meeting, telling TownLift, "It's not an accident that it hasn't been built before now. It's not just the physical cost to build, but the ongoing O&M."

Councilmember Chris Robinson questioned what expansion would do to Basin Rec's operating budget. Parrish responded that the district currently recovers only about 25% to 30% of its operating costs through fees and is auditing its fee program with an outside firm, KPCW reported.

How to weigh in

Residents can participate in the August 5 hearing three ways:

• In person at the Sheldon Richins Building Auditorium, 1885 West Ute Blvd., Park City
• Via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/772302472 (use the "Raise Hand" button for public input)
• By email to [email protected] by noon on Wednesday, August 5

If the council adopts the resolution, the bond question goes to Snyderville Basin voters on November 3. A separate public hearing on the bond's potential economic impact on the private sector is required under Utah law and will be scheduled separately.