Nibley asks Providence to share survey on indoor recreation feasibility; council accepts copy and asks clarifying questions

Nathan Lowerson, a Nibley City Council member, asked the Providence City Council to distribute a third-party recreation survey so Providence residents could be included in data collection on indoor recreation needs for the southern Cache Valley. Lowerson said the partner cities plan a February outreach period and that participating municipalities would receive community-specific datasets from the consultant.

“We're simply just, giving them an opportunity to give feedback,” Lowerson said, asking Providence to participate by distributing the survey through city newsletter, utility messaging, social media or other usual communication channels. He said participating cities include (as spoken) Nibley, Hyrum, Wellsville and Mendon and that the consultant would provide aggregated regional data to all participants.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the survey content and timeline. Mayor Alder asked whether the survey includes a question about residents’ willingness to be taxed for a recreation center; Lowerson confirmed that the question is included. Lowerson said communities asked the consultant to complete the survey window in February—about three weeks—with a goal of compiling results by March for feasibility planning.

Councilors expressed general receptiveness to receiving the survey and suggested staff review the sample questions; the mayor said he would pass along the example survey provided at the meeting. No formal vote was taken; the request was received during the public-comment period and staff and council members said they would review the sample and consider distribution options.

Clarifying details - Timeline: Lowerson requested a roughly three-week collection period in February and said communities aim to have data by March. (Source: Nathan Lowerson) - Content: The sample survey includes an item asking if respondents would be willing to be taxed for a recreation facility. (Source: Nathan Lowerson) - Partners named in comments: Nibley, Hyrum, Wellsville and Mendon (named by the speaker during public comment).

What this means for Providence Council did not vote but the mayor accepted a copy of the sample survey and council members asked staff to review the questionnaire and consider distribution options to reach Providence residents. The council emphasized that distribution does not commit Providence to fund or pursue a facility; the survey is data collection to inform future decisions.