We, the citizens of Midvale, make a plea to any decision making party (namely:  Midvale City Council, Mayor Robert Hale, Salt Lake County Commission, Mayor Ben McAdams, Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, Canyons School District, and Zoo, Arts and Parks) to allow and sponsor Midvale City a Recreation Center and Pool to be located at Union Park west of 700 E.

We ask the following information:

• Why Midvale City was denied funding from the ZAP program our tax dollars fund when the city applied in 2015/2016   https://slco.org/zap/apply-for-funds/ when the standards set forth require that a project "Aligns with 2015 Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Master Plan or meets a clearly demonstrated community need"?  What criteria were not met?
• Please include us in discussions about a potential pool/recreation center in Midvale City.
• We request that Canyons School District increase their financial stake to reflect their benefit and use of this project.
• How can we change the perception we keep hearing that we are the "stepchild" of Salt Lake County and are not a priority?

As citizens, we want to make the following clear:

• We care a great deal about having a pool and recreation center that meets the needs of Midvale citizens and attracts citizens/ families due to facility offerings.
• If possible, we would like to see the fruition of this facility without financial burden above and beyond prices of admission.
• We recognize that the property at Union Park is owned and operated by Salt Lake County and appreciate their willingness to hear our voice on this matter and make considerations accordingly.
• We want to emphasize how imperative it is to have a pool facility design that rivals the pools in surrounding cities. If we build a mediocre pool, it will not be used enough to justify even the smaller cost, and will perpetuate the myth that people don't utilize what Midvale offers. If we build a fantastic recreational option, people will come, spend, and increase city revenue.  We believe Midvale deserves this opportunity in equal measure as surrounding cities.  We want to keep/increase revenue in Midvale!  

We would like to see the pool located at Union Park west of 700 E. We HIGHLY favor this location for a number of reasons:  

1. It provides an incredible opportunity and benefit to Hillcrest High and their swim team and fosters an advantageous partnership between Midvale City and Canyons School District.  
2. The Union Park location provides a greater degree of safety for students using the facility due to its proximity to the High School.  Freshman and many sophomore students do not yet have driving privileges and have been known to ride long boards downhill to swim practice.  Juniors and seniors who do drive still pose safety concerns as driving is a newly acquired skill!  The distance they would have to commute to get to a pool at Jordan Bluffs is substantial and the streets they would need to use are already high traffic areas.
3. It is a more central location between existing city recreation centers (in consideration of Cottonwood Heights, Gene Fulmer location, and Murray rec centers).
4. We believe this location would also be located where it would be more likely to be used by city residents.
5. Field space is already being eliminated at the Copperview Rec Center due to I-15 projects.  As citizens, we don't see the ball fields at Union Park in demand or in use near to the capacity that is provided with that space.  Given these two facts, combined with safety/cost concerns at Jordan Bluffs, we feel it makes more sense to locate pool and rec center at Union Park and re-locate ball fields to Jordan Bluffs.

As citizens, we are enormously grateful for the concessions that Salt Lake County DOES make on our behalf that improve our community and attract individuals and families to wholesome activities and lifestyle.  We LOVE the recent Union Park renovation on the play area.  You can observe that is has become wildly popular already.  We feel the splash pad recently installed at the Midvale City Park could have benefited from some community feedback.  Precious dollars need to be spent in the RIGHT way!

Please listen to us on this issue and support the voice of the people!