Despite the district’s declining enrollment, Interim Superintendent Caleb Fine said participation in sports has steadily increased over the years.
“We’ve grown about 50 student-athletes over the past three years. So we have a lot of student participation in athletics, and last year we had over 700 (total student numbers),” he said.
The district school board has been considering various athletic facility plans over the past seven months in an effort to balance athletic needs. The board currently plans to move forward in three phases: Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 4.
In the first phase, a softball field and baseball field will be constructed near Baoshan Junior High School. The second phase is scheduled to demolish the decommissioned Treasure Mountain at the end of the fiscal year. In its place, a soccer field and tennis court will be added. Phase 4 will renovate Dodger Football Field with a new track and turf.
The consolidation project will cost about $36 million, but Fine said it will not require any more taxpayer funding.
“We have a way of issuing lease revenue bonds, and we currently allocate about $1.9 million of our capital each year to construction projects,” he said. “As construction projects are being completed, we can reallocate those funds to pay for fields and lawns.”
Mr Fine said interest rates on Lease Income Bonds are very low and given the needs of students, it is best to provide the necessary facilities early.
The current softball and baseball fields cannot be used during the winter and early spring. Lacrosse and soccer teams compete for playing time on the existing soccer field. Fine said the new field will help students compete on the same level as other school districts.
Phase 3 includes renovation of the existing Park City High School gymnasium and construction of a field house and parking lot. This phase will cost more than $90 million. The district is considering options to fund these additional costs, including the possibility of tax increases.
“One of the reasons boards like Phases 1, 2, and 4 is that they can move quickly while giving them the flexibility going forward to actually decide how to utilize that space and funding. It can be done,” Fine said. “But there are plans in place to allow future boards and the community to see how this can be phased out.”
Fine said renovations to the fieldhouse and gymnasium are part of the master plan to provide facilities closer to students. While the district is considering working with Basin Rec and Park City Municipal, Fine said having sports facilities on school campuses would be ideal for students. This is especially beneficial for students who can’t drive, so they can start practicing right after school.
