Summit County residents overwhelmingly supported a proposed bond measure to build two new Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District facilities during a public hearing this week, but a former member of the district’s administrative control board urged current leadership to downsize the project and reduce the expected price tag. Basin Recreation initially proposed a $150 million general obligation bond to fund the construction of a climbing facility in Jeremy Ranch and an aquatic center in Silver Creek. However, the amount was reduced to $71 million after the Summit County Council and community members questioned the scope of the design. Residents noted they are already paying for multiple Basin Recreation bonds in addition to the district’s base tax rate. If the bond passes, Basin Recreation plans to build a 20,000-square-foot facility in East Canyon with indoor courts, multi-purpose rooms, outdoor amenities and classroom spaces. The 68,000-square-foot facility in Silver Creek Village is expected to have an aquatic center, climbing and bouldering equipment, cardio and weight rooms, multi-purpose spaces and a daycare. Basin Recreation Executive Director Robert Parrish said district leadership consolidated the aquatic and climbing offerings to one location to better accommodate the reduced bond amount. He said a second phase of the project would ultimately be funded at a later date to create further outdoor amenities for both locations, including a potential sculpture garden and mini golf course. The County Council already voted to place the bond on the Election Day ballot, but a public hearing on Wednesday allowed residents to voice their opinions on the initiative and ask questions. Of the 10 residents who spoke, a majority were in favor of the bond, with only Ben Castro, a former Basin Recreation board member, in opposition. Castro, who served on the district’s board from 2014 to 2025, said he recognized the need for additional facilities, but not with a $71 million price tag. “The largest previous bond Basin Recreation had was $25 million, with $15 million for open space and $10 million for facilities,” Castro said. “As a board member, I consistently wanted a phased and conservative approach for a bond for building new facilities, and, unfortunately, this is not a phased or conservative approach.” He said he was concerned about how the district would fund ongoing operations and maintenance costs because the bond can only pay for “upfront construction.” Castro also pointed out that his last act as a board member was a request to increase property taxes, which was poorly received by the County Council and taxpayers. “We do need additional facilities, but if the bond is approved or declined by the general public, we should not build an additional aquatic facility in Summit County,” Castro said. He brought figures indicating the Park City Aquatic Center costs between $1.2 million and $1.8 million to operate, with an annual loss between $400,000 and $700,000. Similarly, he said the Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center costs $4.5 million to $6 million to operate, with an annual loss of $1 million to $2 million per year. The Provo Recreation Center, which Castro said has an operating cost of $3.6 million to $4.5 million, was the only aquatic center he listed that breaks even. “The reason why this is breaking even is because they have massive dry facilities to subsidize the aquatic wing,” Castro said. “If the aquatic wing was stripped out or isolated on its own, it would be a negative revenue value.” However, other residents supported the pool and said they were glad to see the district expand the types of activities it offers. Josh Riff, a Summit County resident, said there are public health benefits associated with public swimming pools, too. “I’m an emergency medicine physician, and I’ve seen a lot of children who’ve drowned,” Riff said. “Swimming pools … are one of the No. 1 factors that lead to young children learning how to swim. Park City has seen zero young deaths in the last three years. Utah averages 31 a year, so I’m a huge fan of more pools for more access to have more kids learn how to swim.” Riff’s wife, Jennifer, is the leading force behind the proposed sculpture garden and mini golf course that Basin Recreation intends to build through a public-private partnership with her nonprofit. The sculpture garden and mini golf proposal garnered overwhelming support from speakers during the public hearing, but Parrish clarified that the project would be part of the facilities’ second phase and not funded by the bond measure. “That is our intent, to partner with outside nonprofit and for-profit organizations to bring enrichment to facilities in a partnership that removes some of the tax burden but also still brings an amenity to the district as well,” added Basin Recreation Board Chair Ryan Bruce. Tony Tyler, a Silver Creek resident and local developer, said he supported the bond to remove stress from current facilities and expand the district’s offerings, which he said his family takes advantage of on a regular basis. “The opportunity here is well beyond the $71 million value,” Tyler said. “I love the ability of Rob’s team to be able to modify the plans to meet an expectation of budget. Quite frankly, I would have voted for $150 million for the two facilities to be fully built out, and I know quite a few people who would have done the same, but given where we are today, I think that the $71 million plan is a very positive addition to the community.” The bond would add $12.09 for every $100,000 of a home’s value. For example, a $1 million home would pay $120.94 for the bond each year, with a total of $452.59 earmarked for Basin Recreation due to the base tax rate and other debts. For second homeowners and businesses, the bond would add $21.99 for every $100,000 of the property’s value. A $1 million business or second home would pay $219.90 annually, with a total of $822.90 earmarked for Basin Recreation when accounting for other taxes and debts. Parrish said Basin Recreation intends to hold another meeting on the bond, which will likely be an informational open house, on Oct. 7. 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