Alpine OKs survey on rec center

ALPINE — Alpine's City Council voted unanimously this week to approve funds for a survey of Alpine, Cedar Hills and Highland residents regarding a potential recreation facility that would service the three neighboring north Utah County cities.

The $3,263 Alpine will pay for the survey is only a portion of the overall cost, which will be shared by Cedar Hills and Highland, for a feasibility study regarding the project. Alpine has already approved $6,762 to participate in the feasibility study.

"The purpose of the study is to see what people are interested in," said Alpine City Manager Ted Stillman. "We want to look at if we did a rec center, what kinds of things should be in it."

Since March, Alpine, Highland and Cedar Hills have discussed conducting a study — which, in all, would cost about $25,000 — to find out if residents want a recreation center and how much they would be willing to pay for it.

Because Alpine's tax base relies on property tax and a few minor businesses, the city is being very protective with its residents in looking into paying for a recreation center, said Alpine City Council member Kimberly Bryant.

"We want to make sure this is a feasible thing for all of our citizens," Bryant said. "I know it will be expensive. It won't be cheap, and that's why we're being careful."

Although Alpine and Cedar Hills have approved the funds necessary to pay for a study, Highland has not yet officially allocated money to the survey. The city has, however, included the feasibility study in this year's budget.

"I don't think there's much more we can do (on the rec center) without the response of our residents," said Highland City Council member Glen Vawdry.

Alpine, Highland and Cedar Hills decided to work together on the proposal early this year after representatives from a handful of groups in north Utah County — Alpine, American Fork, Cedar Hills, Highland, Lindon, Pleasant Grove and the Alpine School District — decided against pursuing a recreation center to service the northern parts of the county.

If the feasibility study is favorable to the endeavor, the three cities would consider forming a Lone Peak Recreational District.

The recreational center would likely be in Highland since it is a central location, Vawdry said, but a site has not been officially selected.