Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council advances recreation projects: four-court gym on track; indoor pool and pickleball plans continue
Summary
Councilors reviewed progress and near-term funding needs for recreation projects including a near-term completion target for the four-court gym, ongoing planning for an indoor pool with county and school-district discussions, and bid plans for pickleball courts at Gateway park.
Hurricane City councilors at the April 8 budget retreat reviewed a suite of recreation projects including the nearly completed four-court gym, plans for an indoor swimming pool, pickleball courts tied to the Gateway development, Veterans Memorial Park progress and capital work at Sky Mountain Golf Course.
Gyms and pool Staff said the four-court gym is advancing rapidly with steel framing in place and a target completion in late summer or early fall. Council and staff outlined funding plans for an indoor pool: engineers are preparing plans and the city is pursuing multiple funding sources. Staff reported discussions with Washington County about a possible $2,000,000 contribution; the city also met with the local school district to explore a $100,000-per-year contribution over 10 years that could be pledged against a bond payment. Councilors emphasized keeping resident rates lower than nonresident rates for gyms and pool access and asked staff to return with pricing options and a proposal for resident/nonresident fees and annual or family passes.
Pickleball and Gateway park The Gateway property is proposed to include two soccer fields and, potentially, 18 pickleball courts. Staff said the Gateway PID committed $3.8 million toward park construction in governing documents, but that the PID’s funds may not cover all elements. Engineers had earlier estimated roughly $1.3 million for eight new pickleball courts; local contractors and city staff said preliminary local pricing for concrete and associated work suggests the work could be substantially less—possibly below $700,000 if competitive bids are obtained. Councilors directed staff to pursue competitive bids rather than proceed on the higher estimate.
Veterans Memorial Park and other recreation Staff reported $387,000 raised toward Veterans Memorial Park; statues have been ordered and contractors are lined up. Councilors discussed volunteer opportunities for community installation of landscaping and sod.
Golf course Sky Mountain Golf Course staff described a planned $2,000,000 pro-shop renovation and expansion. Staff told council the golf operation has produced strong revenue in recent years and that course balances and reserves are healthy; staff indicated the course has roughly $4 million in account balance and has generated revenues that cover major projects without a general-fund subsidy.
Why it matters: Recreation infrastructure shapes local quality of life, generates fee-based revenue and affects tourism; decisions about pricing and whether to seek outside funding will determine how much the city must bond or draw from reserves.
What’s next: Staff will return with a detailed funding plan for the indoor pool, resident/nonresident pricing proposals, competitive bid results for pickleball courts and a timeline for Veterans Memorial Park installation.
