South Davis Recreation District reports revenue growth, program gains and plans for future upgrades

Tiff Miller, representing the South Davis Recreation District, told the Davis County Commission at a work session on April 22 in Suite 306 that the district ended its 2024 fiscal year with improved participation and preliminary revenue results that the district expects will total about $500,000 for the year.

Miller said the district has tightened its budgeting process to evaluate revenue and costs at the program level and identified both growing programs and those that may need modification or elimination. The update covered membership numbers, program participation, new events and several capital and maintenance items the district expects to face in the coming years.

The update is notable because the district operates one of the few local facilities that combine pools, an ice arena and fitness space, and county staff and the district discussed ongoing collaboration on events such as the multi‑rink “Grizz Cup” hockey tournament and a new Jiu Jitsu tournament the district will host in June. Miller said the ice ribbon has been a strong draw and that facility programming improved in 2024 after COVID disruptions.

Miller gave specific participation and financial details: the district reported 7,635 active memberships and “almost 19,000” members scanned through the facility system in the first quarter reporting period; she said annual passes are at their highest level since before COVID and first‑quarter 2025 pass revenue was about $26,000 higher than the same period in 2024. Miller described program growth in junior jazz, youth soccer, flag football and baseball, and said the district collected about $25,000 more in junior jazz revenue year‑over‑year and saw participation increases of roughly 16% for that program.

On pricing and program economics, Miller said some adult sports attendance has fallen after fee increases. She described fee changes implemented for some leagues: basketball moved from a roughly $600 team fee to a $95 per‑participant fee; volleyball and softball fees also rose and the district will review those effects. Miller said the district is narrowing program offerings to focus on financially sustainable activities.

Capital and maintenance items were a focal point of the update. Miller said the district’s current bond expires in January of the next year and the board is discussing whether to seek additional bonding. Possible projects under consideration include replacing locker rooms, expanding the lap pool, adding restrooms to the fitness second level, a parking‑lot resurface targeted for 2027 and equipment purchases such as a replacement Zamboni Miller estimated at about $160,000. Miller also noted a plan to install a turnstile at the ice arena to better control access.

Miller described recent operational improvements: a new mobile‑friendly website launched in February, a formalized sponsorship package rolled out in fall 2024, and adopted changes to how insurance passes (SilverSneakers, Renew Active and similar programs) are validated. She said the district conducted more than 4,000 swim lessons in 2024 and emphasized swim instruction as a community safety service.

Commissioners and staff asked clarifying questions about program fees, facility scheduling and past discussions about expansion. Miller said the board reduced the number of at‑large board members in 2024 when it updated bylaws and that the board continues to discuss expansion options, noting the timing depends on funding and whether the board chooses to pursue additional bonds.

Miller closed by inviting commissioners to tour the facility and by reiterating the district’s interest in continued partnership with the county on events and programming.