July 4 fireworks show could be Sugarhouse Park's last

The July 4 fireworks show at Sugarhouse Park could be fizzling out.

Citing rising event costs and a need to upgrade aging facilities, the Sugar House Park Authority has opted not to fund the popular fireworks show next year.

"It's getting harder to justify paying most of our funds to fireworks when the park has some real needs," said Lex Hemphill, park authority president.

Without additional funding from Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, private donors or some combination of the three, the show will stop after this year.

"It's definitely in jeopardy," Hemphill said.

Salt Lake City's 2010 budget includes $15,000 to help cover the cost of the fireworks show, said Councilman Soren Simonsen. City leaders have also asked the county to match those funds in its budget for next year.

The park might also qualify for a portion of the city's special-events fund, which has $225,000 in one-time and ongoing funds to help event organizers.

The city and county already contribute to the park's $380,000 annual operating budget, nearly all of which goes toward general maintenance costs.

The park also brings in about $50,000 each year through terrace reservation fees. The majority of those funds have been spent on July 4, Hemphill said. Park officials have spent anywhere from $33,000 to $40,000 on fireworks.

The park authority will instead use that money to make the upgrades outlined in the park's new master plan, Hemphill said. Restrooms and terraces, some of which are half a century old, are badly in need of repairs, he said.

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