The county youth commission approached Carbon’s recreation and transportation special service district on Feb. 5 to discuss additional actions the group could take toward obtain ing the funding for the construction of a miniature golf course.
The group came back to the special service district after county lawmakers advised the youth that Carbon commissioners would like to see a survey conducted in order to verify the long term viability of the miniature golf course project.
A survey of 448 students conducted at Carbon High School showed that more than one-half of the local teenagers indicated that they would use a miniature golf course at least one to two times per week.
The survey question and responses were based on charging a $5 to $8 fee per round of play at the golf course.
“I don’t understand why we need to delay this project to conduct another survey,” commented special service district board member Dick Lee. “They have demonstrated that this project will be popular and I would hate to see something this good shoved into a back drawer because we are waiting on a survey.”
But Carbon County Commissioner Bill Krompel voiced concern about rushing into funding the proposed miniature golf course.
The county commissioner respresents Carbon government on the special service district board
“The county has a lot of open projects right now that are slated for completion during 2007. We have committed to these projects and we have to see them through before we can move on to something new,” pointed out Krompel. “I am not saying that we can’t look at this project this year, but our prior obligations are weighing on our minds.”
According to the Carbon commissioner, the county is looking at wrapping up a number of projects in 2007 with the help of grant monies and funding from the special service district. The projects include:
•Phase three of the improvements on Carbonville Road.
Phase three of the highway improvement project will complete the north end of Carbonville Road with curb and gutter.
Finishing phase three of the Carbonville Road improvement project will cost the county approximately $2 million and $3 million.
•Carbon County ambulance communications center.
The completion of the county’s ambulance service and commications center project could cost approximately $2.3 million.
•Furnishing the county’s road maintenance shop and the event center.
According to Krompel, furnishing the two county buildings could cost between $500,000 and $750,000.
•Dam rehabilitation at Scofield Reservoir.
The Scofield dam project could cost as much as $15 million, with a $2 million local match.
•Carbon County Drug Court.
Carbon lawmakers allocated $250,000 in county revenues to fund the local felony drug court program in 2007.
“I felt it was important for us to step up to the plate in supporting a program that is trying to cut criminal activities within our area,” commented the county commissioner.
•Heavy equipment replacement and repair.
Carbon commissioners budgeted $1.8 million for replacement and repair of county equipment in 2007.
“All of these projects have been committed to and need to be finished, the county needs to see exactly where it is financially before it can commit to another project,” continued Krompel.
The original concept for the miniature golf facility was that the course would be owned by the county and located at the fairgrounds.
During the special service district meeting, the board members suggested that the youth group contact Price officials to inquire as to whether the city would like to become partners in the miniature golf course project.
The youth group indicated that the members will try to arrange to meet with the Carbon Commission members and Price Mayor Joe Piccolo to discuss the plans and funding options for the golf course.
Another major concern for the commission and the service district is the ongoing search for a qualified concessionaire.
“The person who takes on this contract would not have to be a golf pro,” said Carbon course pro Tom King. “This concessionaire agreement is a business opportunity and should be viewed that way,” King continued.
“If we have some good mineral lease quarters and House Bill 134 passes, increasing our mineral royalties, we as a county would like to do as much good as possible. But I want to make sure that we don’t overextend the county financially,” concluded Krompel.
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