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Board approves reallocation of $35,500 to power BMX park and pump-track work after 4–3 vote
Summary
After public testimony from Heather Salinas and questions from trustees, the Sweetwater County School District #2 board voted 4–3 to extend and reallocate $35,500 in rec-mill funds primarily to install electrical service for the BMX track and future asphalt pump track; trustees raised concerns about public access and budget timing.
The Sweetwater County School District #2 Board of Trustees approved a motion to extend and reallocate $35,500 in recreation mill (rec-mill) funds to support electrical hookup and related items for the BMX track and a planned asphalt pump track after a 4–3 vote.
Heather Salinas, representing the BMX club, told trustees the design for the asphalt pump track is complete and construction is shovel-ready but that the larger construction cost is roughly $500,000. Salinas asked the board to allow the district to roll over the remaining $35,500 from last year’s award and apply it first to power hookup and then to other items such as lighting and a shed to house donated loaner bikes. “The design is done. We’re construction ready,” Salinas said, adding that the club maintains donated bikes that would be available for community days.
Board members pressed Salinas on several points: how many youth the programs serve, who carries liability if riders are injured, whether lighting would violate city ordinances and whether reallocating funds would primarily benefit a fenced club area rather than public space. Salinas said the BMX side of the facility is sanctioned and insured through USA BMX, and that the city would insure the asphalt pump track once built; she estimated participation numbers at about 300 riders for recent events and said the power hookup would serve both the fenced BMX area and the asphalt pump track, describing the benefit as roughly 50–50.
Trustees discussed timeline and budget concerns. One trustee raised that Rocky Mountain Power had committed to complete its portion by the end of the month and that Sage Electric’s work could be completed in May. Another trustee warned the district’s recreation board budget is shrinking and expressed hesitation about reallocating funds that had been intended to benefit the unfenced public area.
Trustee Tom moved to approve the extension and reallocation to prioritize power hookup and apply remaining funds to the listed items; Trustee Tate seconded. After discussion, the motion carried 4–3. The chair recorded the outcome as 4 to 3.
Next steps: staff and the club said they will proceed with coordinating Rocky Mountain Power and Sage Electric, and Salinas said the club will continue to pursue larger grant funding through the Sweetwater County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative with results expected in August.
Votes at a glance: motion passed 4–3 (yes/no tallies recorded by the board).
