Park City officials have drafted a statement in support of a $30 million City Hall ballot measure designed to raise monies for recreation improvements, describing what they see as the community’s longstanding backing of projects that expand public access to fitness and related amenities.

Staffers are scheduled Thursday to present the statement to Mayor Nann Worel and the Park City Council for possible approval. The statement would be part of the ballot measure-related materials.

The statement notes “organized recreation in Park City first began in the War Memorial Building on Main Street with a local adult basketball league,” and the municipal government in 1987 acquired the Park Meadows facility that is now called the PC MARC. It also notes the successful ballot measure more than 20 years ago to help fund the Park City Ice Arena.

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“Access to community recreational facilities significantly impacts Park City’s quality of life and sense of community. Many choose to live in Park City because of our shared passions for health, recreation, and wellness. The City has a long history of investing and supporting recreation. Voting Yes on Question 1 will continue to advance the City’s mission and commitment to ‘enriching the lives in our community through exceptional people, programs, and facilities,'” the statement says.

Officials describe Parkites as having indicated they desire “new, expanded, and improved recreation facilities. Park City voters have the opportunity to pass a $30 million general obligation bond to help achieve this vision.”

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Some of the projects that would be funded with the $30 million:

• Pickleball courts
• A refrigerated ice sheet that would be outside and covered
• Nordic skiing upgrades
• Expansion of fitness offerings
• New lights for sports fields

“These investments not only create new recreational opportunities but also substantially improve our existing facilities, many of which now operate at capacity,” the statement says.

The property tax increase attached to the ballot measure is estimated to be $137.20 annually on a residence categorized as primary and having a value of a little more than $2.3 million. The figure is $249.46 annually on a residence categorized as non-primary or a commercial property valued at the same dollar figure. The bonds would be paid off over a 20-year period.

Park City voters will decide the ballot measure during the same election that they will select three members of the City Council. The political contest has received substantially more publicity than the ballot measure, but there is expected to be wider discussion of the recreation question in coming weeks. There is no publicly organized opposition. 

The City Council is scheduled to cast a vote on the statement of support at a meeting starting at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday at the Park City Library.