THE Layton Surf 'n Swim facility almost "closed" in 1991, just six seasons after opening in 1986.
At issue was the cost of operating the pool year-round, under the bubble. So, worst-case, the Surf 'n Swim could have been only a June, July and August outdoor phenomenon only.
According to the Deseret News of March 11, 1991, should the Layton Surf-N-Swim pool be kept open during the winter season, despite the $200,000 spent annually from the city's general fund to subsidize it?
The city was paying approximately $100,000 each year to repay bonds used for the pool's construction. The remaining $100,000 of the subsidy went for operating costs not covered by user fees.
Dean Allen, Recreation Department director in 1991, said about 130 people a day use the pool during the fall, about 200 people use it during the January-to-May period and 340 people a day use it in the summer months. He also explained that no city pool in Utah breaks even, let alone makes a profit.
"As a parks person, I'm biased, but I'd hate to lose it," Allen said. "I think you have to find out if the service is valuable enough to (justify) support . . . the pool is a great community attraction, the only indoor pool in the city."
The "bubble" used to cover the pool during the fall, winter and spring cost $250,000, in comparison to the pool's overall $2.2 million cost.
In the end, the Layton City Council voted to keep the Surf 'n Swim open year round and it has been that way ever since.
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