From Deseret News archives:
Davis pledges tourism funds to aid rec center
By county commissioners agreeing Tuesday to underwrite an ice sheet planned for the South Davis Recreation Center, they helped restore funding for an outdoor pool, rock climbing wall and other amenities cut last month from recreation center plans.
"This is doing a good thing for the right reasons," said Dannie McConkie, a commissioner and a member of the South Davis Recreation District Board. "This is tourism-related."
While the county's pledge of tourism dollars wasn't made until after budget woes surfaced with the recreation center, Davis Clerk/Auditor Steve Rawlings said he has studied for three years whether the county could legally use tourism dollars for the ice sheet.
Rawlings, who also serves on the Recreation District Board, said he is confident the county is proceeding legally. "There is no question in my mind about this."
Because the $238,000 for South Davis Recreation District is a pledge at this point, Bountiful City agreed Tuesday to front the $2 million cost for the ice rink to be repaid by the district at 3.5 percent interest.
Tom Hardy, Bountiful city manager, said the appropriation is a twofold benefit because it comes without a tax increase and relieves the growing pressure to cut back activities at the center. Because of the contribution, an indoor pool and other amenities can also be expanded.
Of the five cities in the South Davis Recreation District, Bountiful has the most residents likely to use the recreation center. Last August, voters in those five South Davis cities approved an $18 million bond to build the center.
E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com
