Parks board previews three-day derby, expanded rodeo and ticketing; records demolition-derby payment

Board member Tom (board member) briefed the Wasatch County Parks and Recreation governing board on Feb. 11 about summer event logistics, ticketing and recent contract payments tied to the county's demolition derby and rodeo.

Tom said the department made a first production payment of $113,000 on the demolition derby contract and noted the county is expanding the derby to three days alongside a three-day rodeo. "With going three days ... we've been able to pay our bills plus some and we're excited about that going forward," Tom said.

The nut graf: The board outlined a busy summer events schedule intended to boost revenue and local tourism, with tickets for the derby and rodeo set to go on sale June 11 and staff asking board members to submit ticket requests and parade-participation preferences before the next meeting.

Details provided by staff included: tickets for the public go on sale June 11; parade expectations for board participation; and that Derby payouts and rodeo added-purse amounts have increased in recent seasons. Tom said the derby payout referenced in the meeting was about $200,000 but added he had "embellished a little," and described wide geographic participation by drivers from across the U.S. and Canada. Staff also described a significant increase in rodeo revenue in the prior year and that the rodeo purse had been raised (Tom referenced increasing added cash to $20,000 to attract higher-level athletes).

Staff and board members also reviewed programming for the summer: youth baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse camps, girls-only "Game On" camp, and a science camp. Taylor Baker, director of programs, is planning adaptive-programming events and inclusion efforts for children with disabilities.

Ending: Tom asked board members to coordinate ticket orders with staff and said forms and ticket allocations will be brought to the next board meeting. The board adjourned by voice vote.