A south central Utah city is looking to Roosevelt as a model for making aquatic dreams a reality. The city of Richfield has an indoor pool that City Council member Richard Barnett told the Richfield Reaper is “on its last legs.” While all the parties involved agree that something needs done, they are finding it more difficult to determine what that something should be. Insert the success story of the Roosevelt Aquatic Center and a road trip was born. According to Roosevelt City Manager Ryan Snow, Richfield’s Mayor, City Council, City Manager and City Recorder found themselves in Roosevelt City yesterday morning to tour the newly complete Roosevelt Aquatic Center. “They are looking at our experience as an example they would like to follow,” shares Snow. While they were doubtless impressed by the facility itself, Roosevelt’s financial approach to the Aquatic Center has been equally impressive to the Richfield folk. In the same Reaper report, Richfield Manager Matt Creamer emphasized the role fundraising, donations and combined funding sources played in seeing the Roosevelt Aquatic Center become a reality. “They ended up with a $9 million dollar facility with only $1.5 million dollars in debt,” said Creamer, a scenario they hope to replicate in their own aquatic pursuit.
