Nibley survey finds broad support for indoor recreation center; officials weigh cost, partners and district options

NIBLEY, Utah — Consultants presented preliminary results from an indoor recreation feasibility survey Wednesday as residents urged the city and its South End neighbors to pursue a community recreation center that would include aquatics and indoor courts.

The lead consultant, Whitney Ward of BCBO, told the combined meeting that the survey had drawn about 4,700 responses and that "the vast majority of respondents do find value in recreation," with aquatics, adult sport fitness and youth sport programs ranking highest. Ward said 75 percent of respondents said they would probably support a property tax increase, with a mean willingness to pay of about $20 per month and a median of $15.

Why it matters: The South End of Cache Valley currently relies on facilities in Logan and North Logan, and consultants and staff said local demand and limited access at those facilities create pressure for an additional center. A new facility could affect youth sports scheduling, senior programming, recreation access in winter months and the local tax base.

Consultant findings and community priorities

"Right now, we're at, 4,700 responses," Whitney Ward of BCBO said during the presentation. The survey results Ward summarized showed indoor court space (basketball/volleyball/pickleball), open access cardio and strength equipment, weightlifting and indoor walking/jogging areas as top recreation priorities. For aquatics, lap swimming and learn-to-swim programs were first and second priorities, followed by zero-depth entry play areas and slides.

Ward told the committee that of the roughly 1,500 respondents who prioritized an indoor year-round pool, more than 700 said they would use it weekly and about 1,200 would use it more than a couple times a month. Ward said roughly 7.6 percent of survey respondents did not support a…