CACHE COUNTY – Over the objections of council member Joann Bennett, the other six members of the Cache County Council appointed members of Regional Recreation Center Feasibility Study Committee at their regular meeting on Aug. 11.
As originally proposed at the council meeting on July 28, the individuals appointed to the advisory recreation panel were council members Kathryn Beus and Keegan Garrity; Melissa Dahle of Logan; Nathan Player of Petersboro; Emily Schmidt of North Logan; Jon-David Jorgensen of Smithfield; Nathan Laursen of Nibley; and Jay Dee Jensen of Mendon.
Their appointment to the advisory panel was delayed by objections raised by County Executive George Daines, who contended that council members had not had adequate time to vet the proposed appointees.
At the July 28 meeting, Bennett also disputed the composition of the study committee, insisting that some unbiased members should be appointed to the panel.
“I’ll bet if we asked these people,” she explained, “they already have an opinion (on a county recreation center) based on their previous experience.
“Maybe someone without a previous opinion would be helpful on this committee,” Bennett suggested.
Prior to the Aug. 11 council vote, Bennett asked policy analyst Andrew Erickson why the same people were being proposed for the study committee rather than any of the names that had been suggested over the past two weeks.
Andrew Erickson replied that any of the council members were free to suggest replacement appointees.
Before any debate could ensue, however, council vice chair Kathryn Beus moved to accept the appointees recommended in Resolution 2026-26 and that motion was quickly approved by other council members, with Bennett still dissenting.
The Cache County Council entered into a contract with VCBO Architecture in January of 2025 to conduct Phase 1 of a comprehensive, countywide indoor recreation center feasibility study.
Funding for that study was provided by an allocation from the Restaurant, Arts, Parks and Zoos Tax accounts managed by county officials.
Since then, those VCBO consultants have been assisted by an ad hoc citizens committee. But Council Chair Sandi Goodlander says that a semi-official presence is now needed to guide the second phase of the study effort.
The Cache County Regional Recreation Center Feasibility Study Committee will now act as a directing body for all third-part experts, architects or consultants involved in the recreation center study effort, according to Andrew Erickson.
That panel will also explore the associated needs, constraints and other factors involved in establishing and running a county- wide recreation system, he added.
The members of the Regional Recreation Centers Feasibility Study Committee are expected to make a final advisory recommendation to the Cache County Council not later than Mar. 1, 2027.