The Utah County Convention Center Task Force recently reviewed a feasibility study for a conference facility and recommended the new center be built adjacent to the Marriott Hotel on Provo's Center Street.

"The best place to put a convention center is in the county seat," said Kelly Ward, task force chairman. "We believe this is the project that should be considered."

Included on the task force are representatives from Zions Bank, Provo City, Brigham Young University, Corporate Alliance and Provo's Downtown Alliance.

The $32 million proposal would put a 20,000-square-foot convention center on the block just west of the Marriott, with a sky bridge connecting the two buildings.

The task force recommended center costs be footed by those would who use it, as well as those who would benefit from it - not by taxpayers.

Financing would come mostly from transient room taxes, but could delve into RDA cash, Legislature appropriations, HUD grants and private donations.

But county commissioners weren't ready to nod their approval to Tuesday's presentation.

Jerry Grover asked what's wrong with Utah Valley State College's McKay Events Center; Larry Ellertson voiced concerns about the planned convention center in Pleasant Grove; and Steve White asked why downtown Provo.

"If you build it, they will come," Ward said, responding to questions about the lack of restaurants and other commercial shops on Center Street. "We should make use of Utah County's only existing full-service hotel that is up and running and has a reputation."

Provo and Utah County commissioned the feasibility study for the conference center last year.

Three out-of-state consulting companies completed the study in November and found existing conference facilities in the county - such as the McKay Events Center and the existing convention space at the Marriott - to be inadequate for the growing event demand.

"Overall, the conference center market analysis suggests that measurable unmet market demand exists for new conference space," the report said.

The adhoc task force formed this February to outline a plan of implementation for the facility, which is estimated to bring $10 million in economic impact to the area.

"One issue is access to the Salt Lake market," Grover said. "That's the reason northern cities are saying they would be a better location."

But the task force said the convention center could spark more hotel development downtown and bring more jets to the Provo Airport, negating the need for Salt Lake City access.

"It's my guess that in the next two to four years, we're going to see scheduled service come to Provo," said task force member Larry Mendenhall, general manager for Million Air, Provo's airport terminal. "That will provide the delivery service for the passengers that want to come here."

The task force will soon present a resolution to Utah County and Provo outlining a specific plan of action.

"I believe that $10 million in economic benefit is hanging in the balance," Ward said.

thollingshead@sltrib.com