Study says new Provo rec center cheaper than keeping old ones

Provo (Salt Lake Tribune) » A new community center is still the city's best option even though it is expected to lose almost $740,000 a year, according to a consultant.

Brent Tippetts, of VCBO Architecture, told the Municipal Council, the Senior Citizens Board and the Parks and Recreation Board that there is overwhelming public support for a community center. And a new building would be more cost effective than trying to upgrade the city's existing recreation, senior and youth centers.

"Your three existing facilities cost more than this," Tippets said. "By co-locating the facilities, it is going to cost you less than you are spending now."

Tippetts presented his firm's feasibility study on building a new recreation center in the city's North Park to replace the three buildings the city now uses for recreation and senior citizen activities. The $39.5 million structure would include indoor and outdoor pools, indoor basketball courts, running track and exercise rooms, and a community and senior citizens center.

Tippetts said North Park, site of the Eldred senior center and the city's Veterans Pool, is the best spot as it is centrally located.

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