HURRICANE — As part of the annual Hurricane Valley Chamber of Commerce State of the Cities presentation, leaders from Hurricane, LaVerkin and Toquerville met with their constituents to talk about projects of the past, present and future.
Water, population growth and new businesses were the main points covered by the civic leaders on Thursday. Hurricane Mayor Nanette Billings started the proceedings with some updates regarding the future of water for the city.
“We’re actually looking at two new wells,” she said. “One at Three Falls, down 60 East where the park is. … Then south, right up on the hill by the Arizona border — the Lowes, they gifted that property to the city so we could have a well right there.”
In addition to new water sources, Hurricane is also in the process of getting a new 2 million gallon water tank for storage during drought years. Currently, the largest tank in the city holds 500,000 gallons.
A grand opening for a new roundabout constructed on 100 North in Hurricane was scheduled later on Thursday at 4 p.m., Billings said.
She added Hurricane officials are holding another State of the City address at the grand opening of the Bob Lichfield Gymnasium on April 29 at 6 p.m.
In last year’s State of the City address, Billings talked about the new buildings donated by the Lichfields. The steel buildings were combined into one that will house two new gymnasiums near the city swimming pool and American Legion buildings.
Construction will begin soon on new city government offices and a civic center near the current offices on 100 North, Billings added.
In LaVerkin, dining options are expanding, with one new restaurant that opened its doors and one on the way, LaVerkin City Mayor Kelly Wilson said, adding that this is also the case for lodging options, with one new hotel already open and another opening soon.
As far as the Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort planned near 300 South, the dirt has been disturbed.
“They started moving dirt already,” he said. “There will be a groundbreaking on March 25 at 10 a.m. All of you are welcome to come to that.”
Wilson added that those who have already noticed broken ground near LaVerkin Elementary School should know that more business space is coming.
“That is going to be a business park where people can either rent, or I think they might even sell some business space,” he said. “If you have a small business and need a place, that will be available.”
Gateway Luxury RV Resort and Red Fort Indian Cuisine were among new places already open, Wilson noted. A Holiday Inn and a Ramada are coming.
Toquerville City councilman Chuck Williams joked that when Mayor Justin Sip couldn’t make it to the State of the City address, they picked the most handsome guy on the council to speak.
Williams noted some upcoming projects such as a planned retirement home and an almost complete RV park. But the biggest news came in the form of what the town was losing — 27% of the traffic flow to Zion National Park.
“We’re putting in four lanes of divided highway that will go completely around the town,” Williams said. “September 3, we will open that 6-mile stretch of highway.”
Originally in the plans since 1969, the Toquerville Parkway will open with two lanes but will soon grow to four. While removing tourist traffic from the main road through Toquerville was one concern of city leaders, Williams said growth was another for the $33 million project.
“We’re going to pick up 10,000 more people in the next 10 years,” he said.
Editor’s note: This article was updated to reflect the correct address of the new city offices and civic center planned development in Hurricane. And to correct that the steel buildings donated by Bob Lichfield were used by the city for the gymnasiums only and not the new city offices being planned.
Photo Gallery
The new Bob Lichfield Recreation Center on 200 West will have a grand opening on April 29, Hurricane, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News
The new Bob Lichfield Recreation Center on 200 West will have an end of April grand opening in Hurricane, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News
L-R: Seated at the table are Hurricane Mayor Nanette Billings, LaVerkin Mayor Kelly Wilson and Toquerville councilman Chuck Williams at the Hurricane Valley Chamber of Commerce State of Cities event in Hurricane, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News
Hurricane Mayor Nanette Billings answers questions at the Hurricane Valley Chamber of Commerce State of Cities event in Hurricane, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News
A new roundabout was opened on 100 North in Hurricane, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News
A new business park is already taking shape on 100 South in LaVerkin, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News
The Toquerville Parkway, a two lane route bypassing the town, is expected to be complete by September in Toquerville, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News
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