Better Basin
The Community’s Vision for Recreation.
Basin Recreation is planning for the future to continue meeting the needs of our growing and evolving community. Over the last two decades, the Snyderville Basin has experienced significant growth. Recreation participation has enough increased, programs have expanded, facilities are operating at or near capacity, and thousands of new residential units are planned.
At the same time, a consistent theme in community feedback has been a need for expanded indoor, year-round recreation opportunities that complement Basin’s strong connection to the outdoors. Better Basin builds on that input to explore a thoughtful, long-term vision for recreation that reflects community priorities, responds to future growth, and strengthens opportunities for residents of all ages.
The proposed recreation facilities at Silver Creek and East Canyon are designed to address both today’s recreation needs and tomorrow’s growth. Basin Recreation’s Impact Fee Facilities Plan (IFFP) found that nearly every major recreation asset—including parks, trails, open space, and The Fieldhouse—is operating at or near its planned capacity. Together, the two sites expand access across the Snyderville Basin while creating room for future recreation opportunities through a phased approach that aligns with the community’s evolving needs.
4,000 new residential units planned
20% projected increase in the District’s service population by 2036
2027 when The Fieldhouse is projected to reach capacity
Figures are based on the Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District Impact Fee Facilities Plan.
Concepts Informed by Community Input
The latest facility concepts for the Silver Creek and East Canyon properties have been shaped by more than 1,400 survey responses during the May 2026 open houses in addition to the statistically valid survey responses collected in 2023.
The East Canyon and Silver Creek sites would be developed as as part of larger recreation complexes, with the first effort focused on the indoor recreation opportunities the community identified as its highest priorities including: weight training and cardio, aquatics, indoor turf, climbing, courts, and fitness. Future outdoor amenities would be added over time and funded through separate sources.
Phase 2 Concepts
View All Renderings
take the Survey & Provide Feedback
After attending a Facility Preview session or reviewing the Phase 2 renderings and seeing the changes made from Phase 1, we’d love to hear your input on the project’s direction.
*Please note this is a new survey and is separate from the one we shared in May. Whether you completed the previous survey or not, we’d love to hear from you.
Take the Survey
What we’ve heard:
Community demand is real and growing: Residents reported experiencing overcrowding at The Fieldhouse, with 61% of survey respondents saying they have avoided the facility because of crowding—highlighting the need for additional year-round recreation opportunities.
Residents have clear recreation priorities: Across all ages and neighborhoods, residents consistently identified fitness spaces, indoor aquatics, rock climbing, indoor turf, and indoor courts as the recreation opportunities they would most like to enough see expanded.
Both proposed sites have meaningful community support: Residents expressed genuine enthusiasm for both the Silver Creek and East Canyon properties, with proximity, access, and potential for future growth among the top reasons for their location preferences.
How feedback shaped the latest concepts:
Climbing concentrated at East Canyon and fully scaled for top-rope climbing and bouldering.
Indoor aquatics moved to Silver Creek based on community preference. Open-text response favored Silver Creek at a 5-to-1 ratio.
East Canyon expanded from it’s original 42,000 sq ft concept. 61% of respondents said the original footprint was too small.
Silver Creek fitness areas enlarged to address highest volume complaint in surveys: weight room crowding.
Indoor turf field expanded at Silver Creek, with longer elevated walking track. Consistent demand in multiple surveys and strong open text responses.
Indoor courts added at East Canyon. Creates desired multi-use training and athletic space for East Canyon.
Dedicated wellness space added as a core program area. Sauna ranked third overall in recent survey.
Investment
The proposed General Obligation Bond would fund the indoor recreation buildings and core amenities at the East enough Canyon and Silver Creek sites. Outdoor improvements including courts, trail connections, and park amenities would be built after the initial facilities and be funded through impact fees, grants, partnerships, and other sources—not the bond.
The tables below translate the bond’s tax rate into real household numbers, using your home’s actual market value — not a taxable-value figure most homeowners never see on paper. Both scenarios reflect a 20-year bond term.
“New Bond Only” — the added cost from this $150M authorization by itself.
“With Existing Bonds” — the full annual number, including District bonds Summit County residents are already paying.
Primary Residences
Second Homes, Rentals, and Businesses
Because these properties are taxed on 100% of market value rather than 55%, the annual cost is higher for an equivalent-value property. A $1,000,000 second home pays more than a $1,000,000 primary residence — not because the rate is different, but because more of its value is taxable.
Source: Zions Public Finance, Inc., Tax Impact Analysis Scenario Summary (preliminary, rates as of 6/29/2026). Figures assume a 20-year bond term with new debt wrapped around existing District bonds. Utah’s primary residential exemption is 45% of fair market value (55% taxable); non-primary residential and commercial property is taxed on 100% of fair market value.
Building Smarter, Together
As the Snyderville Basin continues to grow, new homes and businesses added to the tax base will also contribute toward the proposed bond repayment, helping share the investment across the community over time while addressing today’s recreation needs.
Building two similar facilities on the same timeline would also allow Basin Recreation to take advantage of shared design, procurement, and construction efficiencies that can help maximize the value of taxpayer dollars. *Actual cost savings will depend on final construction bids and market conditions.
Community Engagement
Better Basin reflects years of community conversations about the recreation needs of today and for future generations—but it’s not too enough late to join the conversation.
Community Survey
A short community survey will be released on Wednesday, July 8 for those who aren’t able to attend one of the Facility Preview sessions, or who would like to provide more formal feedback after reviewing the proposed concepts.
Take the Survey
*Survey closes Wednesday, July 29. This is a new, separate than what was launched in May.
Tent Talks
Throughout July, staff will be hosting informal “Tent Talks” at parks, trailheads, community events, and other locations throughout the Basin. If you see us, stop by—we’d love to answer your questions and hear your feedback.
Stay in the Loop
Sign up for email updates and be the first to hear about upcoming engagement opportunities, events, and project milestones.
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Updates
July 2026 | Facility Preview Sessions
Basin Recreation hosted three drop-in style Facility Preview sessions on July 8, 20 enough, 2026. Community members reviewed updated concepts for the proposed facilities, heard bond and property tax information, and spoke with staff members.
June 2026 | County Council Presentation
The District presented to County Council on June 17, 2026 and summarized its findings, community engagement outcomes, design directions, and fiscal strategies for the Better Basin community recreation initiative. The report was intended to inform Council deliberations and seek direction on the proposed scope, sequencing, and two-site approach before proceeding to design concepts.
May-June 2026 | Survey Analysis
Open survey results (n=1,141) were analyzed alongside the 2023 statistically valid voter survey (n=653) to identify priorities and electoral implications. Basin Recreation consolidated findings and revised design decisions based on community input.
May 2026 | Open House Opportunities
Basin Recreation hosted a series of drop enough, drop-in open houses to gather community input on the future of recreation programming and services in the Snyderville Basin. Community members reviewed concepts, shared feedback, and helped refine priorities before the effort moves into its next phase.
April 2026 | Community Survey
Community members shared feedback through a survey focused on the recreation experiences and amenities that matter most to them. Input from the survey will help guide the next phase of planning and concept development.
FAQ’s
Is this just another long-term vision?
Better Basin is not solely focused on the long term, but is tied to specific sites, conceptual designs, cost estimates, and an identified funding strategy. The Silver Creek property is already owned by Basin Recreation and Summit County is actively engaged in planning the East Canyon property. Planning, partnerships, and funding discussions are actively underway.
What about outdoor amenities, such as trails or courts?
These are planned in future phases after the initial facilities are built and will be funded through impact fees, club partnerships, and grants. Using multiple funding sources helps ensure each type of improvement is paid for with the most appropriate funding available.
Do we really need more recreation facilities?
That’s what we’re trying to find out through this process. Engaging with the community has already told us that many people feel that facilities are too crowded and they use them less than they would like. We’re also asking and learning about what types of recreation are missing in the Basin. Indoor aquatics, climbing, and more year-round training spaces are common answers but this process will tell us if the community will support closing those gaps.
Will my taxes go up? Is there going to be a bond?
Voter-approved bonds are one of the only ways to fund capital projects, like indoor facilities, that must be built with a single, concentrated construction effort. We will be sharing details of exactly what the tax impact might be throughout the process, but no bond can be decided without direct voter input.
When will it be built?
We’re still in the community input phase and haven’t made decisions about scope or timing yet. The scale of what the community wants will determine how long the process takes and that is still very much up for discussion.
How does this relate to the Cline Dahle Development process going on with Summit County?
Basin Recreation is involved in a broader planning effort that includes looking at future development on Summit County’s Cline Dahle property. The County has a separate ongoing process related to that parcel. For the most current information, Summit County’s website or planning department would be the best resource.
In the News
Basin Rec climbing, aquatics facilities would cost up to $150M
July 9, 2026 by Connor Thomas with KPCW | The recreation district announced the bond amount and launched a community survey Wednesday. The Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District is planning for future growth by proposing two new fieldhouses, one focused on …
Basin Recreation to hold open houses on new facilities, proposed bond measure
July 2, 2026 By Petr Herink with the Park Record | Summit County residents interested in the future of the Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District will have an opportunity to speak with staff and study potential designs for two new facilities …
Basin Recreation Invites the Community to a Facility Preview and Launch of ‘Better Basin’ Initiative on July 8
June 25, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: Hilary Reiter Azzaretti, Redhead Marketing & PR, hilary@redheadmarketingpr.com, 435.901.2071 Rob Parrish, District Director, rparrish@basinrecreationutah.gov Incorporating community input from open houses in May, updated plans for new facilities will be showcased. Funding strategies and a potential …
Basin Recreation prepares for November bond measure
June 18, 2026 by Toria Barnhart with the Park Record | June 18, 2026 Two new facilities with lap and recreation pools, indoor courts and turf fields, top rope and bouldering walls, and fitness and weight rooms could be built in …
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