For the week of February 12-18, 2003

Mayors favor recreation center resolution

City financial support for Peak Bus
could wither

---

By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer

Blaine County’s mayors last week issued strong support for a plan by the county Recreation District to bring together the promoters of two proposed recreational facilities for Hailey and Ketchum.

Mayors Dave Wilson of Sun Valley, Ed Simon of Ketchum, Susan McBryant of Hailey, John Barton of Bellevue and Rick Baird of Carey showed some optimism that an appropriate set of facilities could be built in the Wood River Valley.

However, the mayors exhibited concern that their cities—more than the county—are routinely expected to provide funding for the Peak Bus commuter program.

The discussions came forth at an informal luncheon hosted by Wilson Wednesday at the Sun Valley Lodge.

Much of the approximately 90-minute gathering was spent discussing the two concurrent recreational facility proposals with Mary Austin Crofts, executive director of the Blaine County Recreation District.

Austin Crofts told the mayors that she has asked representatives from the Hailey-based 5B Sports Center and the Ketchum-based Bill Janss Community Center to attend a community discussion of their plans Thursday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Blaine County Senior Center in Hailey.

"We’re really promoting the idea of collaborating," she said.

Austin Crofts told the mayors the Rec District is seeking a "unified recreation plan" that most residents of the Wood River Valley will support.

"The idea is not to duplicate, and not to compete," she said.

Wilson said Sun Valley supports the district, but noted that the city does not have any funds set aside to support a facility in Ketchum. "We don’t have any extra money to just give $50,000 or $100,000 to the Janss Center," he said.

He noted that any public recreational facility in the Wood River Valley would likely need some form of "taxpayer support"—if not to build it, then to keep it operating.

Simon said he believes there is "a good chance of obtaining a North County facility," but noted that any facility in Ketchum would "eventually" ask for some money from the Rec District.

In a discussion about the Peak Bus, several mayors said their cities might eventually eliminate funding for the program.

"It’s not the city of Hailey’s job to provide somebody’s transportation to work outside of its city," McBryant said.

However, she noted that Hailey has made efforts to support the project, particularly by constructing a park-and-ride lot in the downtown core.

Barton said he believes the program provides an essential social service, but needs a different funding structure. "It’s probably appropriate to fund it through the county," he said.

Wilson concurred. He said he was "not sure" whether future city councils in Sun Valley would help fund the project.

Operated by nonprofit Wood River Rideshare, the Peak Bus is funded by local cites, the county, the state of Idaho and revenues from passenger fees.

Sun Valley this fiscal year contributed $20,000 to the Peak Bus program.

The city of Hailey has contributed $2,000 to Wood River Rideshare for the current fiscal year, half of which was directed specifically toward supporting the Peak Bus.

The city of Ketchum has allocated $30,000 for the Peak Bus for the current fiscal year, Bellevue has contributed $500, Blaine County has contributed $30,000 and a state grant has provided an additional $21,000.

At the end of the gathering, Wilson said Sun Valley’s five-acre parcel on Sun Valley Road next to Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church will be considered for use as a site for a seasonal performing arts center.

A consultant hired to determine the need for new arts facilities in the Wood River Valley reported last month that the area needs a warm-weather enclosure—such as a tent—designed to host performances and special events.

"We need more hotel rooms … We need more quality facilities," Wilson said.

(Editor’s Note: The Hailey City Council voted Monday to deny a request from the 5B Sports Center for a "letter of intent" from the city to lease a parcel of land for the group’s proposed public recreation facility. See story, Page 18.)

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.