Aldon Rachele
The facility will be built to have extremely low maintenance costs and last more than the usual 30 to 40 years. says Architect Burke Cartwright
Ground was broken on the Uintah County Recreation Center one week ago and the main message to area residents was that its all tax free. Revenue to build the $15.9 million facility comes from mineral leases paid by oil and gas companies who are leasing federal land in the country.
There are many positive things for the community through oil and gas production including a good economy this counterbalances some of the negative effects, said Dan Rodgerson, Uintah Recreation District executive director. The construction crew has hit the ground running. They are really churning the dirt.
The new center is being built at 600 South Vernal Avenue, on land formerly owned by the Kay family. John Millecam, a Uintah Recreation District Board member, worked with the
Kays on the purchase of the 80 acres of land by Uintah County for the state-of-the-art recreation center.
According to Millecam, the Kay family was offered double the money the county could afford to pay, but turned it down. Lanny Kay, ex-Naples City mayor, added that his parents wouldnt have wanted their land to become a subdivision and would be proud that it is being used for a recreation center that will benefit all citizens in Uintah County.
Millecam thanked oil and gas companies for drilling in Uintah County. Not one dime comes from property taxes. The center will be paid from mineral lease monies, Millecam stated.
He credited ex-Utah legislator from Vernal, Jack Seitz for his legislation ago that allowed counties of mineral origin to receive monies derived from production in their counties. He also noted that Seitzs successor, Rep. John Mathis, (R-Naples), was pushing to maintain the policy.
The facility will include swimming pools, gymnasiums, a track, support and office areas. It should be completed by spring 2008.
In order to drop the cost per square foot we reduced the size of the two gymnasiums and delayed the tennis court until phase two, plus made little changes like eliminating the hot tub, said Rodgerson.
Uintah County Commissioner Jim Abegglen, who is recovering from cancer, sees the center as lending him a helping hand and others as well. l be using the facility to learn how to walk again, he said.
The architect, Burke Cartwright of Edwards & Daniels pointed out that the buildings multiple sloping roofs are similar to the formations that are prominent at Red Fleet Reservoir and that the initial cost will be nothing compared to its lasting value. Layton Construction won the bid to build the facility. They are also building the REAL Salt Lake soccer stadium.
I believe that you are going to be the envy of the State of Utah, he said. The building should have an extremely low maintenance cost and should last more than the usual 30 to 40 years.
We are 100 percent committed to doing a great job. If we are too noisy, or the road gets too busy, bring it to our attention, he said.
(Also contributed Joni Crane)
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Uintah County Recreation District ready for busy winter of sports Dan Rodgerson
10/23/06
Aldon Rachele
Uintah Recreation District is busy moving onto upcoming sports such as indoor soccer and various basketball programs with winter weather approaching plus preparing to build its recreation center. A ground breaking was scheduled for Monday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m.
The Community Recreation Center will be located just off the intersection of Vernal Avenue near 600 South on an 80-acre parcel of land. When it is fully developed it will be dedicated almost exclusively to recreation-oriented activities, according to recreation district officials.
Included in the 78,000 square foot building will be indoor lap and leisure pools, climbing wall, double gym, running track, activity areas, aerobic and dance area, administrative offices, childcare, party rooms, public meeting area/conference room; support and storage areas.
The long, sloping roof forms of the Uintah Recreation Center will be formed from nearby rock outcroppings at Red Fleet Reservoir. The interplay of the multiple sloping roofs is similar to the formations that are so prominent at Red Fleet. The roof forms also provide natural light at key locations in the building, most notably around the indoor pool area.
Material selection and detailing is also influenced by the surrounding landscape of Uintah County with locally available stone being used at key locations such as the entry. Colored concrete block will be used and detailed to depict the stratification that is evident in nearby rock formations. Other use of materials such as corrugated metal and heavy timber will reflect resources that are commonly found in Uintah County.
Uintah Recreation District officials went on say that childcare, public meeting and conference areas, along with the kitchen and restrooms, will be placed on the entrance side of the control desk so that these areas can be used independently from the major activity areas during times when the full recreation center is't open.
The recreation district staff consists of: Dan Rodgerson, executive director; Robin ODriscoll, recreation director; Bart Mecham, park superintendent; Rafe Johnston, golf course supervisor; Kent McCurdy, golf pro; Shauna Jo Eves, Kyle Bishop, program coordinators; Sage Garcia, aquatics coordinator.
Staff members will be busy taking registrations for indoor soccer youth ages 5 to 8 years old on the first day of sign-ups, Oct. 23. Matches will be played, Thursday evenings (5:30-8:30 p.m.) and Saturdays (9 a.m. to 12 noon) beginning January 11 at Vernal Middle School They will be introduced to the basics of the game. The program will run 6 to 8 weeks. There will be two divisions with the older division age restrictions limited to children who have not reached their 9th birthday by April 1, 2007.
An Itty Bitty Ball Session for young children (ages 3-5) and their parents is set to be held from Jan. 2 to Jan. 25 in a four-week format. Kids and parents will take part in basketball, soccer, tennis, and baseball on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. at Vernal Junior High. The cost is $15 per person. Registration is currently underway.
A youth basketball league of co-ed teams for 3rd/4th graders and 5th grade boys squads is underway (began Oct. 4) at Vernal Junior High school. The program will last several more weeks. The Jr. Jazz program will start play in January.
Four-week youth basketball clinics for 5-8 year olds that are having trouble grasping the game are slated from Oct. 25 to Nov. 15 at Vernal Junior High. Two sessions are offered on Wednesdays (5:30 or 6:30 p.m.), Saturdays (9 a.m. or 10 a.m.). The fee is $15 per person.
The senior (Jr. Jazz) basketball league (grades: girls, 5th-12th; boys, 6th-12th) will begin play Jan.17 at Vernal Junior High and run for seven to ten weeks on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (5:30 to 9:30 p.m.). Registration began Oct. 13 with fees at $25 per participant until Nov. 17 and $30 until Dec. 8. Registration deadline is Dec. 8.
Other teen activities are ski trips to various slopes (first one in late December) and indoor soccer at Vernal Junior High beginning January 11 on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Family activities have included a five-mile run in Dry Fork, Sept. 23 and scavenger hunt, Sept. 29. Future events are: Halloween Mayor Walk for those eight-years-old and younger, Oct. 31 (meet at Independence Park by the Vernal Pool at 4 p.m.). Breakfast With Santa will be held Dec. 16 from 8 to 10 a.m. at Western Park.
Adult activities are: mens basketball (Mondays and Tuesdays, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. started Oct. 2 at VJH), indoor soccer (Thursday evenings, Saturday mornings–started Oct. 12), volleyball 3 on 3, co-ed, womens; mens flag football (Wednesdays and Thursdays at Naples Park “started Sept. 26).
Various activities are also held at the swimming pool and golf course in the recreation program for all ages.
For additional information on activities call administration office at 781-0982 or fax 781-0986.
Walk-in registrations are taken at the office at 134 West Main Street, Suite 101, Vernal.
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Aldon Rachele
Uintah Recreation District is busy moving onto upcoming sports such as indoor soccer and various basketball programs with winter weather approaching plus preparing to build its recreation center. A ground breaking was scheduled for Monday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m.
The Community Recreation Center will be located just off the intersection of Vernal Avenue near 600 South on an 80-acre parcel of land. When it is fully developed it will be dedicated almost exclusively to recreation-oriented activities, according to recreation district officials.
Included in the 78,000 square foot building will be indoor lap and leisure pools, climbing wall, double gym, running track, activity areas, aerobic and dance area, administrative offices, childcare, party rooms, public meeting area/conference room; support and storage areas.
The long, sloping roof forms of the Uintah Recreation Center will be formed from nearby rock outcroppings at Red Fleet Reservoir. The interplay of the multiple sloping roofs is similar to the formations that are so prominent at Red Fleet. The roof forms also provide natural light at key locations in the building, most notably around the indoor pool area.
Material selection and detailing is also influenced by the surrounding landscape of Uintah County with locally available stone being used at key locations such as the entry. Colored concrete block will be used and detailed to depict the stratification that is evident in nearby rock formations. Other use of materials such as corrugated metal and heavy timber will reflect resources that are commonly found in Uintah County.
Uintah Recreation District officials went on say that childcare, public meeting and conference areas, along with the kitchen and restrooms, will be placed on the entrance side of the control desk so that these areas can be used independently from the major activity areas during times when the full recreation center is't open.
The recreation district staff consists of: Dan Rodgerson, executive director; Robin ODriscoll, recreation director; Bart Mecham, park superintendent; Rafe Johnston, golf course supervisor; Kent McCurdy, golf pro; Shauna Jo Eves, Kyle Bishop, program coordinators; Sage Garcia, aquatics coordinator.
Staff members will be busy taking registrations for indoor soccer youth ages 5 to 8 years old on the first day of sign-ups, Oct. 23. Matches will be played, Thursday evenings (5:30-8:30 p.m.) and Saturdays (9 a.m. to 12 noon) beginning January 11 at Vernal Middle School They will be introduced to the basics of the game. The program will run 6 to 8 weeks. There will be two divisions with the older division age restrictions limited to children who have not reached their 9th birthday by April 1, 2007.
An Itty Bitty Ball Session for young children (ages 3-5) and their parents is set to be held from Jan. 2 to Jan. 25 in a four-week format. Kids and parents will take part in basketball, soccer, tennis, and baseball on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. at Vernal Junior High. The cost is $15 per person. Registration is currently underway.
A youth basketball league of co-ed teams for 3rd/4th graders and 5th grade boys squads is underway (began Oct. 4) at Vernal Junior High school. The program will last several more weeks. The Jr. Jazz program will start play in January.
Four-week youth basketball clinics for 5-8 year olds that are having trouble grasping the game are slated from Oct. 25 to Nov. 15 at Vernal Junior High. Two sessions are offered on Wednesdays (5:30 or 6:30 p.m.), Saturdays (9 a.m. or 10 a.m.). The fee is $15 per person.
The senior (Jr. Jazz) basketball league (grades: girls, 5th-12th; boys, 6th-12th) will begin play Jan.17 at Vernal Junior High and run for seven to ten weeks on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (5:30 to 9:30 p.m.). Registration began Oct. 13 with fees at $25 per participant until Nov. 17 and $30 until Dec. 8. Registration deadline is Dec. 8.
Other teen activities are ski trips to various slopes (first one in late December) and indoor soccer at Vernal Junior High beginning January 11 on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Family activities have included a five-mile run in Dry Fork, Sept. 23 and scavenger hunt, Sept. 29. Future events are: Halloween Mayor Walk for those eight-years-old and younger, Oct. 31 (meet at Independence Park by the Vernal Pool at 4 p.m.). Breakfast With Santa will be held Dec. 16 from 8 to 10 a.m. at Western Park.
Adult activities are: mens basketball (Mondays and Tuesdays, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. started Oct. 2 at VJH), indoor soccer (Thursday evenings, Saturday mornings–started Oct. 12), volleyball 3 on 3, co-ed, womens; mens flag football (Wednesdays and Thursdays at Naples Park “started Sept. 26).
Various activities are also held at the swimming pool and golf course in the recreation program for all ages.
For additional information on activities call administration office at 781-0982 or fax 781-0986.
Walk-in registrations are taken at the office at 134 West Main Street, Suite 101, Vernal.
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Recreation plans for Ballard set for discussion Dan Rodgerson
Uintah Basin Standard
8/21/06
Aldon Rachele
Uintah County Parks and Recreation Director Dan Rodgerson asked the Ballard Town Council to develop a master plan for their recreation needs last Tuesday.
Even though the Parks and Recreation Special Service District will have less funds due to creation of new special service districts in Uintah County, it will still be one of the best funded parks and recreation departments in the state with mineral lease funds totaling an estimated $30 million this year.
We are positioning ourselves to have three-quarters of the funds coming to the district and a good stream to outlining areas Ballard and other communities, Rodgerson said.
A master plan of how the Ballard wants its park to look in 10 years is a major priority when it comes to receiving funding, and Rodgerson wants the towns elected leaders and residents to be involved in the process.
Know your priorities, he said. We have to make sure we protect our investment and need a draft of understanding. We are looking for input.
Rodgerson told the council that he has heard from some Ballard citizens who are interested in having a skate park, while others want an amphitheater at the existing park.
However, the council said it isnt ready to announce its plans. Instead, theyve decided to seek public comment at an upcoming meeting.
Councilman Ace Davis, who is assigned to oversee parks and recreation in Ballard, said residents who come to the meeting should think big, but remember that the amount of funding the town will receive from the Parks and Recreation District hasnt been determined yet.
In the past, Ballard has benefitted from Parks and Recreation funding, which help construct a walking path and pavilion, install a sprinkler system, plant lawn and pave a parking lot at its park north of Highway 40 near the Ballard LDS chapel. The district has also been doing maintenance work on the small park near the city building.
Many people have been using the pavilion at the Ballard Park, said Councilman Bob Abercrombie. It is good that mineral lease money is coming back to the community.
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Dan Rodgerson Blog
8/21/06
Aldon Rachele
Uintah County Parks and Recreation Director Dan Rodgerson asked the Ballard Town Council to develop a master plan for their recreation needs last Tuesday.
Even though the Parks and Recreation Special Service District will have less funds due to creation of new special service districts in Uintah County, it will still be one of the best funded parks and recreation departments in the state with mineral lease funds totaling an estimated $30 million this year.
We are positioning ourselves to have three-quarters of the funds coming to the district and a good stream to outlining areas Ballard and other communities, Rodgerson said.
A master plan of how the Ballard wants its park to look in 10 years is a major priority when it comes to receiving funding, and Rodgerson wants the towns elected leaders and residents to be involved in the process.
Know your priorities, he said. We have to make sure we protect our investment and need a draft of understanding. We are looking for input.
Rodgerson told the council that he has heard from some Ballard citizens who are interested in having a skate park, while others want an amphitheater at the existing park.
However, the council said it isnt ready to announce its plans. Instead, theyve decided to seek public comment at an upcoming meeting.
Councilman Ace Davis, who is assigned to oversee parks and recreation in Ballard, said residents who come to the meeting should think big, but remember that the amount of funding the town will receive from the Parks and Recreation District hasnt been determined yet.
In the past, Ballard has benefitted from Parks and Recreation funding, which help construct a walking path and pavilion, install a sprinkler system, plant lawn and pave a parking lot at its park north of Highway 40 near the Ballard LDS chapel. The district has also been doing maintenance work on the small park near the city building.
Many people have been using the pavilion at the Ballard Park, said Councilman Bob Abercrombie. It is good that mineral lease money is coming back to the community.
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Dan Rodgerson Blog
Communities begin plans to use mineral lease funds to upgrade parks and recreation Dan Rodgerson
Utah Basin Standard
8/28/06
For more than 15 years, parks and recreation facilities throughout Uintah County have been held together by bailing wire and duct tape, but all of that is changing with the influx of mineral lease funds. But with a multi-million dollar budget for the county special recreation district and concrete plans flying off the drawing board, those days are gone hopefully forever.
The centerpiece of the improvements is a $15 million recreation center, featuring a lap pool, leisure pool, two water slides, indoor basketball courts and learning centers, to be built at the southwest corner of South Vernal Avenue and 500 South. Negotiations are currently underway with a contractor, with the district hoping to break ground by the end of September, said assistant director Robin O'Driscoll.
We will be pushing the architects, construction crews and everyone involved to get the job done and have set a target completion date of November 2007, said Rodgerson.
Funding for the recreation center comes from a $7 million no interest loan from the Community Impact Board, with the balance being paid by Uintah County from funds that it receives from oil and gas development on federal lands within the county.
Talking with residents at specially called meetings held throughout the county, the recreation district is designing park improvements that address the individual needs of each community rather than imposing a one-size fits all design.
In Jensen, where the core of the communitys park was formerly a parking lot, the emphasis is on greening-up the area.
In July, with the help of lots of community volunteers, we irrigated a dirt field, thereby creating a playing field and have planted shrubs around the perimeter, Rodgerson said. In September ww will be installing new playground equipment.
Future projects in the Jensen area include constructing an all-season restroom, he added.
In Tridell, the first phase for bringing in new recreational opportunities involves improving the town park's entrance and parking lot.
In the past, the park has been mostly gravel. We are adding greenery to enhance the esthetics, said Rodgerson. Residents have also expressed an interest in creating a walking park and increasing the size of the pavilion so that it can accommodate larger families.
Avalon residents have asked for a community center with a playground and indoor facilities such as a basketball standard.
The district has had to disappoint one constituent group. In Lapoint, where we purchased 14 acres adjacent to the LDS church, within walking distance of the school, children said theyd like us to build a Taco Bell, Rodgerson chuckled. When they understood what we can and cannot do, they have really provided valuable input the planning and design stages, he said.
Rodgerson said in his travels to the various communities, he has noted that there has always been an interest in improving community parks, but that the funds to do so just werent available. It's nice working for a well-funded agency.
Rodgerson has been the business administrator for the Uintah Recreation District for nine months, having moved to Vernal from Greenville, South Carolina, where he was the director of a similar agency.
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Google
8/28/06
For more than 15 years, parks and recreation facilities throughout Uintah County have been held together by bailing wire and duct tape, but all of that is changing with the influx of mineral lease funds. But with a multi-million dollar budget for the county special recreation district and concrete plans flying off the drawing board, those days are gone hopefully forever.
The centerpiece of the improvements is a $15 million recreation center, featuring a lap pool, leisure pool, two water slides, indoor basketball courts and learning centers, to be built at the southwest corner of South Vernal Avenue and 500 South. Negotiations are currently underway with a contractor, with the district hoping to break ground by the end of September, said assistant director Robin O'Driscoll.
We will be pushing the architects, construction crews and everyone involved to get the job done and have set a target completion date of November 2007, said Rodgerson.
Funding for the recreation center comes from a $7 million no interest loan from the Community Impact Board, with the balance being paid by Uintah County from funds that it receives from oil and gas development on federal lands within the county.
Talking with residents at specially called meetings held throughout the county, the recreation district is designing park improvements that address the individual needs of each community rather than imposing a one-size fits all design.
In Jensen, where the core of the communitys park was formerly a parking lot, the emphasis is on greening-up the area.
In July, with the help of lots of community volunteers, we irrigated a dirt field, thereby creating a playing field and have planted shrubs around the perimeter, Rodgerson said. In September ww will be installing new playground equipment.
Future projects in the Jensen area include constructing an all-season restroom, he added.
In Tridell, the first phase for bringing in new recreational opportunities involves improving the town park's entrance and parking lot.
In the past, the park has been mostly gravel. We are adding greenery to enhance the esthetics, said Rodgerson. Residents have also expressed an interest in creating a walking park and increasing the size of the pavilion so that it can accommodate larger families.
Avalon residents have asked for a community center with a playground and indoor facilities such as a basketball standard.
The district has had to disappoint one constituent group. In Lapoint, where we purchased 14 acres adjacent to the LDS church, within walking distance of the school, children said theyd like us to build a Taco Bell, Rodgerson chuckled. When they understood what we can and cannot do, they have really provided valuable input the planning and design stages, he said.
Rodgerson said in his travels to the various communities, he has noted that there has always been an interest in improving community parks, but that the funds to do so just werent available. It's nice working for a well-funded agency.
Rodgerson has been the business administrator for the Uintah Recreation District for nine months, having moved to Vernal from Greenville, South Carolina, where he was the director of a similar agency.
Dan Rodgerson Reseume
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