[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6205158,"mediaKeyId","3776536-d852cbd7821893a0f2bf410ba3749b49","parentId",3776536,"title","Disc golf at Thunderbird Gardens draws heavy visitation; SUU crew and city debate maintenance, ownership and RAP-tax funding","audioSeconds",2544,"startMs",4830000,"endMs",7374000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3776536-d852cbd7821893a0f2bf410ba3749b49&start=4830&end=7374","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3776536-d852cbd7821893a0f2bf410ba3749b49/thumbnail_4830000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6205158/Utah/Disc-golf-at-Thunderbird-Gardens-draws-heavy-visitation-SUU-crew-and-city-debate-maintenance-ownership-and-RAP-tax-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205158-63cdb9fc2493dfb9e91a3f9126660199/orig.mp4?Expires=1770822351&Signature=a~K~pc32xLktrRuCWw25tX8sRocpCP4TQwh3~mVgg7II5vx03H2F6kNMfbsWh6dGpCwce6ay0009CqZJ6c4brqZSNV29U5TOw~tjd14X-6bR2HmW-gDd09KqRw5TtVi-zySNFbvvD2voraIb2rmX5yqvQSVxwt05lq4Pja1RfY6NcGWywven9n4bfMx9gLTyD6tIWxPayfJCfEdTgoSDhmgiWqRaJwXO0ZFz6~d1CJLDDVbwRa~DRBZtLit0afdKCPno6502QR8Z1mrrQpiGH7FJ3yRJZWJA1lVFAxGbKBlQT4dH5tp7jkXtkWN1hfJkZLT00LybxMPCy6-V7djy~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-11T19:31:03Z","article","Southern Utah disc golf advocates and the Southern Utah University Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative presented a joint pitch to the RAP-tax committee to repair Thunderbird Gardens’ tee pads and signage, fund trail-crew work to address erosion and safety, and add amenities such as picnic tables and wayfinding.

Usage and impact: Presenters cited UDisc and BLM counters showing heavy visitation — including thousands of recorded rounds and tens of thousands of monthly visitors in recent months — and said the course drives regional visitation. “Over the 14 years, visitation to Thunderbird Gardens area has gone up 367%,” a presenter said, summarizing BLM data. Presenters argued the course is a tourism asset and a multiple-use recreation area (hiking, mountain biking, remote-control vehicles and disc golf) that needs investment to remain safe and sustainable.

Scope and funding: The disc-golf group proposed improved tee pads (especially on the backside of the course to increase accessible play without the mountain hike), additional baskets and sleeves, improved signage and picnic tables, and minor parking-area fence repairs. The SUU Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative (IIC) offered to apply trained trail crews (paid intern crews supervised by an experienced trail lead) to graded trail and safety repairs but noted labor and benefits were part of their proposed budget.

Ownership and maintenance debate: Committee members raised that the BLM had committed to restrooms and maintenance at Thunderbird Gardens but recently stopped maintaining the restroom, which the city observed is now locked. Committee members and staff repeatedly urged SUU and the disc-golf advocates to revisit the earlier agreement and asked whether SUU would honor continuing maintenance commitments. SUU IIC staff said the original grant-funded installation was intended as a one-time project and that long-term maintenance expectations had not been consistently resourced; they said the IIC can provide trail-building expertise but cannot indefinitely assume long-term maintenance on city-owned property.

Legal and financial considerations: Committee members repeatedly said RAP-tax funds are intended for publicly accessible facilities and that long-term maintenance responsibility matters because wrap-tax funding is not an ongoing maintenance stream. Several council members urged the university to either honor the prior commitment or consider a different ownership/maintenance model with the city; they suggested SUU, Rotary and city staff coordinate on a durable maintenance plan before RAP-tax investment.

Next steps: Presenters asked for the committee’s consideration of a funding package that would improve safety, accessibility and signage; committee members asked applicants to align proposals with ownership, maintenance commitments and RAP-tax eligibility before the submission deadline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","RAP tax - Parks & Recreation - June 11, 2025.","oneSentenceSummary","Southern Utah disc golf advocates and the Southern Utah University Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative told the RAP-tax committee that Thunderbird Gardens attracts large visitation and needs repairs to tee pads, signage and trails to protect safety and sustain tourism.","taxTitle","Cedar City Council, Cedar City , Iron County, Utah","taxId",23578,"location","Utah","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6205163,"Water polo club seeks $120,000 in equipment funding; city raises legal questions over RAP-tax eligibility",617,3853000,4470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3776536-d852cbd7821893a0f2bf410ba3749b49&start=3853&end=4470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3776536-d852cbd7821893a0f2bf410ba3749b49/thumbnail_3853000.jpg","/articles/6205163/Utah/Water-polo-club-seeks-120000-in-equipment-funding-city-raises-legal-questions-over-RAP-tax-eligibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205163-a18134edd8a1dfd219289f5657558d94/orig.mp4?Expires=1770822351&Signature=DQlsq2vxqqy6CYaw7y-fqztiA0QBbYUPMB89xvU8Dxiavd9Jr7o2KuhhO6JBkXIBRuEtQLwX6RHLnOoQjHe1BPe~-9WBfBZ12U~qxp3uW1SxUskuS2nKJvBYZNXjJAmGZ1mYdViosg9~6~hNIk8S1nz407ZM9UGD7LrzWJb9S2sB5CrvmZFuDQU6zNda8UpeKO6TCn3TOtjH8BoiKe5DXmLfYb~Z-4sV~Eq4KMnODx2eHYNit9hCnf5-Wd7qPAMQasu24xu9RbKp0SYNW7c1hjNYFu3Nk4xGztlL7HR-G9q0ISjHzigDc7chRdJxLFACMNxTyW4dXucLFhiXbdvNpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cedar Water Polo representatives asked the RAP-tax committee for $120,000 to replace aging equipment and buy multiple sets of goals, balls, lane lines, timing systems and tournament infrastructure that they said are needed for youth teams and to host tournaments in Cedar City.

“My name is Nathan Moses. ... Cedar Water Polo Club... Our income last year was $22,000 and our expenses were about $27,000,” Nathan Moses said, describing tight club finances and stating the club currently operates at the Cedar City aquatic center and Southern Utah University pools. Moses said the equipment is old, came from an older facility and needs replacement to support multiple age groups and to allow the club to host tournaments locally.

Legal and policy concerns: Committee members raised immediate questions about RAP-tax eligibility because the tax’s parks-and-recreation allocations typically fund publicly owned recreational facilities or improvements. One committee member warned that funding a private club’s equipment could set a precedent and urged the club to consult the city attorney and explore ways to tie purchases directly to the city’s Leisure Services or the aquatic center so the benefit is retained by a public entity.

Club response and next steps: Club leaders said some equipment would also benefit the city by improving aquatic-center tournament capacity and suggested that partial funding could be tied to city ownership or to Leisure Services’ needs. Committee members recommended the club meet with the city attorney to clarify legal pathways and consider structuring requests so funds buy equipment owned and maintained by a public entity.

No formal funding decision was recorded; committee members asked the applicants to consult legal staff and to return with a structure that aligns with RAP-tax rules.","Cedar Water Polo asked the RAP-tax committee for $120,000 to replace aging equipment and enable tournaments; committee members warned that RAP-tax rules typically require publicly owned facilities and suggested the club consult the city attorney and explore partnership with Leisure Services or other public entities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6205168,"Local trap club seeks fencing and window repairs; club says facility is public-access nonprofit",352,3186000,3538000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3776536-d852cbd7821893a0f2bf410ba3749b49&start=3186&end=3538","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3776536-d852cbd7821893a0f2bf410ba3749b49/thumbnail_3186000.jpg","/articles/6205168/Utah/Local-trap-club-seeks-fencing-and-window-repairs-club-says-facility-is-public-access-nonprofit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205168-16cb2e8cafb193170c5f64ef0490cec8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770822351&Signature=eArIxZq9Ll~ONmhhV1fAkzFjxJYivghdbOYey-rZLxphPHFTgEKYnWbORm8PcXkNzDeY6SascUH1MMlucHJK5Z9LMkxx2QOxO1WsrhwsaZrXCwk3IJBirE~g~1vFnicPWubLiL92IQ9CU6Rtqs6UAl-uszjIS6~YATQZyzuwn98hYidlGCEK~aqFOwmkETdX4jz1Cqm6Kj8myz6pdliTtrJB2Xlkf1rmGM28R88TxI~u3TSB~PAelVr-u4tTtVJLwUMHj8lYWzeqbKibDQZQgcNaKyCT9SpUd-OMuUv9OfYpdQpg2RrvfPDsbywffDGtkKZlbC3SkfQWyICaoLNwmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jim McConnell, secretary and board member of the trap club, told the RAP-tax committee the nonprofit has operated the shooting facility for about 50 years and at the current site for about 35 years and requested two capital items: approximately $10,007.88 for 200 feet of 6-foot chain-link fence with two 20-foot rolling gates and roughly $43,000 to replace deteriorated clubhouse windows.

McConnell said the club is a volunteer-run 501(c)(4) and has about 40 annual members; it is open to the public on scheduled afternoons and weekend mornings and also hosts 15 weeks of 5-stand shooting during the summer. “We are open to the public two days a week, Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. We're totally operated by just our volunteer folks,” McConnell said.

Why it matters: Club leaders said fencing is intended to prevent unauthorized shooting and protect facilities from damage. They described prior RAP-tax and NRA grants that paid for skirting, concrete work and other improvements and said the club’s current finances are limited after recent events.

Committee exchange: Committee members asked whether the trap club met the RAP-tax eligibility test for “publicly owned recreational facility.” Staff clarified that RAP-tax guidance typically requires a publicly owned recreational facility for parks-related awards; the club said it operates by permit on city property though its equipment and clubhouse are owned by the organization. McConnell clarified membership fees mainly offset insurance and operating costs and reiterated that the facility is available to the public for scheduled times.

Next steps: No funding decision was made; the committee requested any clarifying documentation be included in the RAP-tax submission materials.","The Cedar City Trap Club, a 501(c)(4), requested RAP-tax support for 200 feet of chain-link fence and two rolling gates ($10,007.88) and window replacement for its clubhouse (about $43,000). Club representatives said the site operates by permit on city property and is open to the public for scheduled shooting sessions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6205172,"Rotary Club seeks $403,000 to complete all-abilities water-play phase after Phase 1 near completion",1777,1367000,3144000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3776536-d852cbd7821893a0f2bf410ba3749b49&start=1367&end=3144","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3776536-d852cbd7821893a0f2bf410ba3749b49/thumbnail_1367000.jpg","/articles/6205172/Utah/Rotary-Club-seeks-403000-to-complete-all-abilities-water-play-phase-after-Phase-1-near-completion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205172-214612013d3e472b62d9b6bae4f1266b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770822351&Signature=izocDhSBtCm5e05lmn-g53fbgdSxPHOgpf0BpK-sqJnnfi2yCpw-XndA5I3JLx7rSnpxxh9g4Vvv7fKkhVRloSWFP2VeWuDNgC6sV5iD9s2BwbQzrh4Kd-HwQGYq6SdxVKzM~e1qoM~k7g4hpqzuq6mKVeh2imOFFpNjiuvwopPeWdayVLy6vQBs5JcE1aZqk0FLrHZ4IpdzBq7kPydx7CXd7ECLorY31rouZ-t5cSpxbFdIAbNngy~Y4lgIpGDj6dQus5bjrdz~E162Dxo88gtdyPvEipQmRAxv3SlXGb5N73Kt0~Ufhd~sz66v6xMgkvIcxS4Zjqxjm3zJD1kDgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cedar City Rotary Club asked the RAP-tax committee for $403,000 toward Phase 2 of an all-abilities water-play project that Rotary leaders described as part of a broader $1.2 million effort to add water play and accessible playground elements to Park Discovery.

Rotary representatives said Phase 1 (largely complete) used nearly $900,000 in grants and donations and that in-kind labor and donated profit exceeded $300,000. “We've spent almost all of it,” a Rotary representative said, and the club reported one recent approval of $200,000 from the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation for Phase 2.

Scope and rationale: Rotary described Phase 2 as an all-abilities playground area with poured-in-place surfacing to meet ADA standards, a variety of swings, a quiet pod for autistic children, and themed elements reflecting local water heritage. Presenters said previous grant work was delayed by COVID and contractor availability and that equipment removed from a hilltop was replaced with newly purchased equipment because the old items were nearing the end of their usable life and insurers would not cover them if relocated.

Funding context and questions: The Rotary presenter said the club had used roughly $404,162 in prior savings on Phase 1. Committee members asked what would happen if the committee provided only partial funding. City staff and Rotary representatives said major elements (including bolted equipment and poured-in-place surfacing) would need to be completed as a full phase rather than piecemeal; one staff member said the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation grant could likely be executed across two years.

Operational concerns: Committee members raised parking constraints at the park neighborhood, and Rotary said a future phase could expand the parking area adjacent to the senior center and remove aging play equipment to create additional stalls. Rotary leaders said the park now attracts visitors from outside the city and that the new features are being used by people of varying abilities.

Next steps: The Rotary representative asked the committee to consider the $403,000 request before the committee’s funding deadline; committee members requested clarified budget documentation for submission.","Cedar City Rotary Club presented plans for Phase 2 of a water-play park that leaders say is a $1.2 million project overall and requested $403,000 toward roughly $800,000 Phase 2; presenters said $200,000 was approved from the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation and that Phase 1 used about $900,000 in grants and donations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6205178,"Parks department seeks $664,150 in RAP-tax funding for playgrounds, trail overlay and arena sound",357,785000,1142000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3776536-d852cbd7821893a0f2bf410ba3749b49&start=785&end=1142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3776536-d852cbd7821893a0f2bf410ba3749b49/thumbnail_785000.jpg","/articles/6205178/Utah/Parks-department-seeks-664150-in-RAP-tax-funding-for-playgrounds-trail-overlay-and-arena-sound","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205178-638dc6389278c3a69c5f7b87413a7761/orig.mp4?Expires=1770822351&Signature=ggtB9LbAx6s-spnv7YPNb0TclnKJ2AwUTKwinV-c40fOSbIaYGDwrYPChM6hVolhM310~bsYNwZXtEBTroEafvHk~Mg~ey7ASIIxOL0BeTEQ7bLz-9WboZWzA5gdHNMmHdgA8JhSQFK9mFdq1BtdT58-3w4eiNzZiOcj1Ey~GgyWRD5rwfNrEes-k4tlav7tUygEXGkFKaE8rSFAmQRJWJwFL0TYxqnHy7FE4pixUr955tAfF~TktGmvfaTwyFfBNx~P0PUeL6uVHOjxF-aye59OzsNRhzYxpY844d6eItB0Pcf~0S86XaQH4dyi0W6amjTCloMxsLBsTtQpzdTeLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cedar City parks staff asked the RAP-tax review committee on Oct. 11, 2025, to approve roughly $620,550 in funding for park improvements, and said the department’s total request rises to $664,150 when the Cross Hollow event center is included.

The request covers several projects: $14,550 for replacement temporary mounds and fences at Bicentennial and Hill Complex (with $9,500 committed from the TRCC), a $30,000 replacement of a Main Street rope-and-pole feature, about $360,000 for Park Discovery Phase 2 to provide fully accessible play surfaces, and a $215,000 program to place a 1-inch overlay along 20-plus-year-old sections of the Coal Creek Trail. “For parks and rec, it's 620,550, but that's — that's minusing the Crosshollow Arena total. So total in parks and rec with the Crosshollow Arena, it's 664,150,” Anthony Pearson, Parks Department, told the committee.

Why it matters: Pearson said the Park Discovery Phase 2 is designed to meet ADA requirements the project lacked when a previous grant application was denied and would make playground equipment accessible by ramp and poured-in-place surfacing. He described the Coal Creek Trail as used by commuters, recreators and fundraising events and said the trail has root damage and areas needing road base and overlay.

Cross Hollow event center: Scott Christianson, arena manager, separately requested $43,600 to extend sound and video into a new addition that includes restrooms and a banquet room. “You gotta have sound. If people can't hear what's going on, then it's... unpleasant,” Christianson told the committee, adding the addition is part of roughly $2.3 million in improvements supported by private donations, county and city funds.

Committee questions and clarifications: Committee members asked for a clearer line-item separation between leisure services and the Cross Hollow event center; Pearson said both sit in one department but that the Cross Hollow amount could be footnoted. Pearson also confirmed the TRCC had committed $9,500 toward the mounds and fences and clarified the Park Discovery Phase 2 scope — accessible routes, ramps, a merry-go-round and other accessible play elements.

Next steps: The committee did not take a final vote at the presentation. Staff were asked to supply any requested clarifications to the RAP-tax administrator by the committee’s submission deadline.

The meeting ended with an administrative motion to adjourn approved by voice vote.","Cedar City parks officials asked the RAP-tax committee for $620,550 for parks improvements (or $664,150 including the Cross Hollow event center), including Park Discovery Phase 2, temporary mounds/fences and a Coal Creek Trail overlay; the Cross Hollow Arena manager separately requested $43,600 for a sound system for a new addition.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Disc golf at Thunderbird Gardens draws heavy visitation; SUU crew and city debate maintenance, ownership and RAP-tax funding

Water polo club seeks $120,000 in equipment funding; city raises legal questions over RAP-tax eligibility

Local trap club seeks fencing and window repairs; club says facility is public-access nonprofit

Rotary Club seeks $403,000 to complete all-abilities water-play phase after Phase 1 near completion

Parks department seeks $664,150 in RAP-tax funding for playgrounds, trail overlay and arena sound