KAYSVILLE -- The city is considering construction of a city recreation/community center and has appointed a special committee to study the project.
Kaysville Parks and Recreation Director Mike Gray said the first step will be a professional survey of what residents would like in such a facility -- such as a swimming pool, gymnasium or jogging track."I think there's a great need for such a facility," Gray said.
He said city leaders would like to see more than a recreation center and would prefer to include a community meeting room and classroom so it could cater to senior citizen gatherings, hunter safety classes and other public meetings.
Gray is also high on a gymnasium because city facilities are almost at maximum usage. The two gyms at Davis High, as well as the gyms at Fairfield and Kaysville junior highs, have constant usage during Junior Jazz basketball seasons. He said the city's program has 1,100 kids, and without another facility, it will soon have to limit registrations.
He is also keen on a indoor city swimming pool because then swimming instruction and other programs could be offered. Also, Davis High lacks a swimming team because it does not have access to a pool. This has meant good Kaysville, Fruit Heights and Farmington swimmers often attend other high schools that field swim teams. An indoor swimming pool could change that. Farmington has a community pool, but it is outdoors.
Gray said a survey would probably ask residents for their top five choices for amenities in a recreation facility.
Funding is also being studied, and Gray said the city is looking at an overall cost range of $2.5 million to $3 million.
Where such a facility would be located will also be examined by the new committee, composed of residents and city leaders. Barnes Park, west of I-15 on 200 North, has been the traditionally accepted location for such a facility, but Gray said there are also two possible sites on the east side of Kaysville that should be considered. The advantage to the Barnes Park site is that there is already ample parking and city-owned land there.
Another undetermined aspect is whether or not neighboring Fruit Heights would be included in the Kaysville recreation center project. Fruit Heights is currently jointly involved in other Kaysville community activities, like its Fourth of July celebration. Gray said Fruit Heights may be asked to be a financial partner in the facility. If that city chooses not to participate, Kaysville would likely have a separate usage fee for Fruit Heights residents.
Gray is also looking for several more interested Kaysville residents to serve on the volunteer recreation center committee. Those interested should call 544-1788.
You can reach Lynn Arave by e-mail at lynn@desnews.com