The Research, In Plain English
We didn't guess. We pulled the actual books from three real recreation centers — one of them in our own state, built at about half our size. Here's what they prove, without the jargon.
Jerome proves it works. Provo shows the scale — and the bond trap. Nampa is the exact playbook, in our own state.
Three Cities, Three Lessons
Operating proof
“The gym pays for the pool.”
The blueprint
“No vote, no tax hike — and it pays the city back.”
Scale — and the bond trap
“Don't bond it. Reserve that for renewal.”
Side By Side
Not three rec centers we admired — three experiments that already ran, each answering a different question.
| Jerome, ID | Nampa, ID | Provo, UT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role for Twin Falls | Operating proof | The blueprint | Scale + the bond to skip |
| Population when built | ~13,000 (today) | ~28,000 — half our size | ~115,000 |
| Size | 32,000 sq ft | ~90,000 sq ft core (≈140,000 full) | 160,000 sq ft |
| How it was paid for | Property-tax rec district, no debt | COP + 13,000 charter pre-sales | $39M GO bond |
| Bond vote required? | District levy (simple majority) | No — court-validated, no election | Yes — 59.6% (Utah simple majority) |
| Would it work in Idaho? | Yes (but rec districts now risky) | Yes — same state, court-validated | No — would fail the 66.67% bar |
| Operating result | Fitness 100.7%; rec-only 55% & rising | Net-positive: ~$485K to the city (FY25) | Breaks even (+$89K) before debt |
| The one lesson | The gym pays for the pool | No vote, no tax hike, pays the city back | Don't bond it; reserve for renewal |
Sources: City of Nampa COP closing records + FY25 operating statements; Jerome FY23–FY25 audited financials; Provo FY14–FY25 financials; U.S. Census. See the full feasibility study for the complete methodology.
“Aren't we too small?”
When Nampa committed to its recreation center, the city had about 28,000–33,000 residents — roughly half Twin Falls' size today. Canyon County then (~90,000) was about the size of Twin Falls County now (~97,500). If Nampa wasn't too small at half our size, neither are we — and we're the only city our size in Idaho still without one.
The numbers say it works. The next question is the money — and here too, the path is already proven.
The Core Mechanism
Certificates of Participation — no bond vote, no tax increase. Run the COP calculator and see it next to a traditional bond.
See the financing →The Full Toolkit
The full layered stack — charter pre-sales, naming rights, grants, land deals, and more — so no single source bears the weight.
See the toolkit →The Return
Every $1 invested can return ~$6.69 by preventing juvenile crime, dropouts, and senior healthcare costs.
See the case →How It's Funded
See how COP financing works and play with the numbers.
Learn more →Calculator
Enter what you spend on fitness and recreation today. See how a rec center membership compares.
Try the calculator →FAQ
Every objection addressed head-on. Cost, politics, need — we hide nothing.
Read the FAQ →