County officials say proposed NICA youth track unlikely at site; parking and scale cited

County officials and committee members told a public meeting that a proposed NICA youth mountain-bike track would face significant obstacles at the privately owned site under consideration, chiefly insufficient parking and space for the scale of events NICA requires.

A commissioner asked whether past county work on private property has precedent. Committee members said the county has performed limited work on private property in emergency or high-priority cases but cautioned against replacing contractors’ work and taking on long-term maintenance obligations. One member noted that graveling or flattening a parking area can be done in some instances but recommended careful review before county resources are used on private land.

Multiple speakers described how NICA events typically require large parking and camping areas. Committee members said an operational NICA meet can require about 10 acres for parking and staging, plus room for spectators and trailers, and that a single local track with only four miles of rideable loop would not meet typical NICA standards requiring larger course lengths and multiple loops. Members urged those proposing a NICA track to visit established events in Manti or Price to observe scale and logistics.

Speakers said staffing changes at the national NICA organization have reduced enthusiasm for the site and that the public-safety concern of parking across a highway or on narrow flats makes the location impractical unless landowners can provide a substantially larger area. Committee members suggested there could be other county properties better suited for a youth track, but they did not identify a site at the meeting.

The discussion concluded with a recommendation that proposers examine existing tracks, reassess parking logistics and avoid relying on county funds unless a viable, permanent staging and parking plan is secured. No formal vote or funding decision was taken at this meeting.