The lease was the idea of Ivory, who hopes to generate revenue for the park, which has been plagued by financial turmoil left over from former leadership. Ivory is also chairman of the Deseret Morning News board of directors.

Ivory said other options to bring in money are being pursued and it is possible that a new development could fill up that acreage if ARUP decides against it.

But Matt Dahl, the park's executive director, said that even if the land lease is voted down, the park has no immediate financial concerns.

"The beauty is, it doesn't affect our operations, our programming, and we're still going to have a wonderful summer up there."

The park received $2 million in one-time cash from the Legislature last February to keep it afloat, after mounting debt nearly forced it to close.

Shortly after, park leadership was revamped and given the charge to get it back on its feet.

Of the $2 million infusion, $1 million was put into an endowment, which will grow to $5 million in the next six years, Dahl said. That amount has been set aside for operations.

The other $1 million is being used for capital improvements, and it will run out in the 2008 season.

"If this lease does not go through, we're not boxed into a corner. We still have time. Worst case scenario, we don't do any maintenance," he said.

The park has been operating in the black since November, and Dahl said the staff is focusing on a grand opening on May 10. On that day, the two rubber-tire trains will arrive at the park and the Golden Spike ceremony will be replicated. On May 10, 1869, a golden spike was driven near Promontory Summit in Box Elder County, marking the meeting of railroad lines originating from St. Joseph, Mo., and Sacramento, Calif., and heralding the first transcontinental rail line.

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E-mail: astowell@desnews.com