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Jordan School Board offers conditional support for West Jordan ZAP-funded rec center
Summary
After hearing staff and board discussion about access, maintenance risks and past agreements, the Jordan School District board voted unanimously to send a letter of conditional support for West Jordan City’s ZAP tax application for a rec center, with a $2 million cap and a start date “no sooner than” 2029.
The Jordan School District Board of Education voted unanimously Nov. 18 to write a letter of support for West Jordan City’s application to the county ZAP (Zoos, Arts and Parks) tax program to build a recreation center that would include a community pool, but only with specific contingencies. Board members asked that any district financial commitment be capped at $2,000,000 and that the 20‑year participation term not begin earlier than 2029.
The vote followed a presentation from district staff and representatives from West Jordan. Scott Thomas and Brian Barnett reviewed the proposed project, described West Jordan’s offer to donate Ronwood Park land for the project, and laid out options for district participation. Staff reminded trustees of the district’s existing agreements with county pools and an active Kearns pool agreement that contains a 20th‑anniversary clause that could require the district to share upgrade costs after 2030.
Board members focused questions on three main issues: whether partnering would save money compared with building a district pool, the district’s exposure under the Kearns agreement if upgrades are required in 2030–2035, and how much the district might reasonably expect to pay for major repairs. Staff told trustees large upgrades—replacing boilers or resurfacing—could cost millions and that the district retains an option to exit an agreement if the board later decides not to pay for identified upgrades.
Trustee Daryl Robinson moved that the board submit a letter of support conditioned on the district’s 20‑year term starting no sooner than 2029 and a maximum contribution of $2,000,000; the motion was seconded and passed without opposition. According to staff, the letter would be included as part of West Jordan’s county ZAP application and could be redrafted with the contingencies specified by the board before signature.
The board did not adopt a binding funding agreement at the Nov. 18 meeting; the letter is a statement of support for the city’s application and would place the district on the record as a potential partner if the county awards ZAP funding.
Next steps: district staff will draft the conditional letter with the language approved by the board and circulate it for the board president’s signature.
