S.L. County Council May Fund Sandy Amphitheater and Cultural Celebration Center

May 06, 2008 by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) When they meet this afternoon, the Salt Lake County Council could dish out a total of $600,000 to the Sandy Amphitheater and the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley.

"We are taking two institutions we've supported over the years and pretty much institutionalizing the funding we give them," says Council Member Randy Horiuchi. "I think it's important for us to try and help these facilities outside of the downtown area continue to thrive."

Councilman Randy Horiuchi says without funding assistance from the county, both entities would have a difficult time remaining viable. That's why the county is discussing interlocal agreements to make permanent funding for the institutions rather than continue with one-year renewals.

There has been talk that funding the Sandy Amphitheater again this year is, in a round-a-bout way, providing funding for the professional soccer stadium in Sandy. Horiuchi doesn't think that's the case.

"It's something we've talked about for a long time. In the past, previous councils have made commitments and haven't held up to them. As a result, those facilities that aren't memorialized in interlocal agreements end up going by the wayside."

Last week, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon informed Sandy City that the county would not participate in a community development agency, which would have required the county to hand over property tax dollars to help with construction of Real Salt Lake's soccer stadium.

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