Study recommends new Provo recreation center

PROVO (Deseret News) — A study 11/2 years in the making recommends that Provo replace three recreation facilities with a single $38.5 million community center.

The proposed 156,000-square-foot recreation center would include three indoor pools, two oversized basketball courts, an indoor track and space for the city's senior center.

The proposal, introduced Tuesday by Brent Tippets of VCBO Architecture, recommends placing the new facility in Provo's North Park, 500 N. Freedom Blvd., and integrating the existing Veterans Memorial Pool.

"This would be one the largest recreation facilities in the state of Utah," Tippets said in a meeting with the Provo City Council, as well as city parks and recreation officials and a senior citizens board.

Tippets noted that Provo's population of 120,000 could use a larger facility, but he said the proposed facility would meet the needs of city residents.

The City Council commissioned the report to consider a facility to replace Provo's aging recreation facilities, including a pool and fitness area at Provo High School, the Eldred Senior Center and the youth-oriented The Center.

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