Huntington council eyes portion of $1.5M tourism fund for rodeo upgrades, pickleball and trails

Huntington’s City Council on Aug. 4 discussed pursuing a share of an approximately $1.5 million Emery County tourism fund to support local recreation projects that could draw visitors and overnight stays. Council members reviewed candidate projects including improved roping boxes and stalls at the rodeo grounds, pickleball courts with lights, a splash pad, frisbee golf and walking-trail connections to the campground.

The tourism-fund opportunity “has to be done for tourism,” Speaker 3 said, adding the $1.5 million figure is the total fund available at the county level. Speaker 5 described the rodeo grounds’ worn chutes and equipment and urged upgrades to attract contestants and fans: “If you upgrade those roping stalls, the ropers will get out,” Speaker 5 said, estimating equipment costs at “probably 40 to 50,000” and noting that figure excludes installation and any additional stalls.

Council members discussed scale and cost trade-offs. Speaker 3 said a complete pickleball build, including lights for two courts, is estimated at about $120,000; Speaker 2 proposed combining that existing number with the tourism grant and asking for an additional $40,000 to finish work on a project, which the council said might improve the city’s chances when applying. Speakers also flagged that larger items — for example a walking-trail and frisbee-golf development that previously had been estimated in the mid-six-figures to low seven-figures — would require engineering, formal designs and firm bids before a grant application could be submitted.

Council members repeatedly noted the county-level fund will be divided among multiple towns. “We’re gonna have to try to divide it between 4 and 5 communities,” Speaker 3 said, citing competition from nearby towns such as Green River and Orangeville. Speakers agreed the travel bureau and tourism staff (discussed in the meeting as “Andy” and Amanda Leonard) will play a central role in determining eligibility and deadlines; no firm submission deadline was provided at the meeting.

Next steps agreed by the council included preparing firm project scopes and cost estimates, obtaining vendor bids and design work as needed, and coordinating with the travel bureau on application timing. Speaker 3 asked staff to gather solid numbers within the next few weeks so the city can submit an application if appropriate.

The council did not vote on allocating funds at the meeting; members directed staff and volunteers to develop proposals and bids to support a grant application.