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County OKs $2.75 million in room/restaurant-tax grants for SUU sports facilities to boost winter tourism
Summary
Iron County commissioners approved a $2.75 million package from transient room and restaurant taxes to renovate SUU athletic space, build a synthetic turf field and install an air-supported dome to expand year‑round sports tourism capacity.
Iron County commissioners voted unanimously to approve a $2.75 million contribution from transient room tax and restaurant tax fund balances to help Southern Utah University (SUU) expand indoor and year‑round athletic facilities to attract more sports tourism.
The county-approved package, recommended by both the TRT (transient room tax) and restaurant‑tax boards, is split by project: $500,000 toward renovation of SUU’s multipurpose (old) gym to create a two‑court practice facility; $250,000 toward reconstruction and turfing of the softball field; and $2,000,000 toward a full‑sized synthetic turf field with an air‑supported “bubble” that would allow winter use.
County staff said the boards recommended paying $750,000 of the total up front from each fund’s balance (TRT and restaurant tax), with the remaining $625,000 from each fund to be paid in three annual installments (about $208,000 per year). Maria Twitchell, the county tourism director, told commissioners the onetime fund‑balance contribution and the multiyear payment plan came after review by the two advisory boards; commissioners approved the request by motion without dissent.
Why it matters: County officials and SUU leaders said the package is intended to convert underused wintertime capacity into visitor nights and restaurant sales. SUU representatives described a three‑part plan: renovate the university’s multipurpose center so the Centrum (America First Event Center) can host more events; turf and upgrade the outdoor softball and multiuse fields; and cover the soccer field with an air‑supported dome for November–March indoor use while leaving it outdoor the rest of the year.
SUU Director of Athletics Doug Nuth and Utah Summer Games executive director John Oglesby outlined expected uses: additional high‑school and club events, potential state championship dates, year‑round youth and adult programming, and increased ability to host multi‑day tournaments that fill hotel rooms and generate restaurant sales. County tourism staff pointed to recent growth in summer and fall event bookings and said winter events would help smooth lodging and restaurant demand through the year.
Commissioners and county staff emphasized the county will require a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) before construction or distribution of funds to guarantee public and community access, schedule priority rules, and reporting of economic impact. Twitchell told the meeting the county and SUU planned to formalize scheduling, priority and cost‑recovery terms before money is disbursed.
Votes and next steps: The commission approved the funding motion (payment schedule and amounts) in a single vote. County staff will draft the MOU with SUU and Utah Summer Games, and construction timing will be set once agreements and design documents are complete. SUU and partners said the projects would be staged to maximize use and minimize conflict with university schedules.
Ending: Supporters called the effort a strategic investment to grow winter visitation and restaurant sales; commissioners approved the request subject to negotiated MOUs and reporting requirements to ensure community access and measurable tourism returns.
