Enoch City Council makes way for indoor ice rink project to move forward

Approximately 50 people attended a public hearing during Enoch City Council meeting, regarding a zone change for a proposed indoor ice rink facility, Enoch, Utah, April 20, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

ENOCH — Plans for an indoor hockey and ice skating facility in Enoch now can move forward.

Developer Spencer Jones points to a map showing location of proposed ice rink facility during Enoch City Council meeting, Enoch, Utah, April 20, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

The Enoch City Council unanimously approved the developer’s zone change application for the 4-acre property during its regular meeting last Wednesday, following an 80-minute public hearing. 

As previously reported in Cedar City News, a group of investors hopes to construct a year-round indoor rink for ice sports enthusiasts by the end of the year.

Following a public hearing held the previous week, the city’s planning commission unanimously recommended that the zone be changed from R-1-18 residential to C-C community commercial.

Although some residents expressed concerns about the proposal, a large majority of the 50 or so people in attendance at last week’s meeting were in favor of it.

More than one commenter said they liked the idea of having an ice rink in town but had reservations about the proposed location, tucked in the northeastern corner of the city amid a residential development that is still mostly in the early stages of planning and construction

Other issues that were raised by commenters included concerns about increased traffic, pedestrian safety, crime, littering, noise, water usage and lighting.

Kerry Fain, president of the nonprofit organization known as Southern Utah YETI (Youth and Enthusiasts Together for Ice), addressed a few of those concerns during her turn to speak at the hearing.

A commenter asks a question about proposed ice rink facility during Enoch City Council meeting, Enoch, Utah, April 20, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Regarding the issue of water use, Fain said that if eight single-family homes were to instead be built on the 4-acre parcel in question, those eight residences would collectively use an estimated 4.6 million gallons of water per year, based on Iron County’s average usage statistics.

In contrast, she said the ice rink facility is projected to use only a fraction of that amount, according to estimates.

“The ice rink project will use 760,000 gallons a year on average without our reclaimed system for water,” Fain said, adding that the reclamation system is expected to lower the estimated annual usage to about 480,000 gallons per year. 

“I’ve got a great concern for water,” Fain added. “We live out here too. And we want my children who are setting up shop here, setting up homes, to be able to live here long-term. So I would hope that that would show just what a huge difference in savings this would be in water for the community.”

Fain also addressed concerns about crowds, saying that they don’t anticipate large numbers of participants and spectators, except during events such as tournaments, “which isn’t every day, maybe once a month.”

“At this time, I don’t see us filling, for years to come, that 800-person capacity,” she added.

Southern Utah YETI President Kerry Fain speaks during Enoch City Council meeting, Enoch, Utah, April 20, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

In response to concerns about traffic, developer Spencer Jones, who owns the parcel in question, said two new roads will be built to improve access between the facility and the nearby Old Highway 91 frontage road. One will be an easterly extension of Ravine Road, while the other one will extend from the rink property toward Highway 91 in a southeasterly direction. 

That short and yet-unbuilt street, which Jones referred to as Pinnacle Road, will be wide enough to accommodate a large share of the traffic to and from the facility, he said.

“The path of least resistance is going to be coming out this new road,” he said as he pointed to a map of the area on a screen. “There’s two lanes coming in and two lanes going out. Correct me if I’m wrong, but my understanding is the only other 100-foot right of way in Enoch City is the Minersville Highway.”

Jones added that he believes there is an adequate buffer of space between the facility and the homes in the surrounding neighborhood, the closest of which are at least one quarter-mile away.

Jones also said he believes the project will be “a game changer” for the Enoch community.

“I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for the city,” he said.

“I’m committed to see this project through,” Jones added. “There’s a lot of hands involved with this. And as has been mentioned, it’s all committed financially. We’re not asking for anything from the city. Several millions of dollars are going to be invested.”

Zoning map showing location of proposed ice rink facility in Enoch, Utah | Image courtesy of Enoch City, St. George News / Cedar City News

Jones said this project is not a “moneymaker” for him and then further clarified his own role and interest in the project.

“OK, I might benefit from adjoining lands or something like that,” he said. “But the facility itself, we’re putting the investment in but we’re not getting the return.” 

Multiple commenters expressed their appreciation for the various opinions shared during the public hearing.

“I love that this process exists for us, that we can come here and voice our opinions and be heard,” said one man, who added, “Please remember at the heart of this decision is property rights. And to those who completely oppose this process, there is a way for you to stop it, and that is to offer a better price. But you choose what you want to do with your property.”

After the public comments had ended and just before the council members voted 5-0 to pass the zone change, Enoch City Attorney Justin Wayment said the measure was not a “spot zone” made to benefit a specific person or business.

Southern Utah YETI members and supporters congregate outside Enoch City offices following unanimous approval of a zone change that will allow a new ice rink facility to be built, Enoch, Utah, April 20, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

“I would like something put in the record that this has been done because it’s good for the local community,” Wayment said. “The reason for it is because it is a benefit to the community as a whole.”

During the public hearing, Enoch Mayor Geoffrey Chesnut said the city has no role in the project other than ensuring it is constructed and operated according to the same codes, permits and regulations that are required of any other business.

“If they’re going to build a commercial project, there are specific requirements before they can even open the doors,” Chesnut said in response to a commenter’s question. “If they don’t meet those requirements, they don’t get a permit to open the doors.”

After the meeting ended, as more than two dozen visibly happy YETI supporters congregated outside the City Hall building, Fain told Cedar City News the next steps will be to formalize the design plans for the facility and begin securing the necessary permits.

“We want to thank all those who have supported us in seeing this project come to fruition,” Fain said, mentioning, in particular, Spencer Jones, Enoch City Council and city staff, Iron County Commissioner Paul Cozzens and Kadin Imlay.

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