There seems to be a number of people in Utah who would like to see construction of a 2,500-seat theater for touring Broadway shows in either Salt Lake City or Sandy. We are among them, and favor the capital city venue. However, a report commissioned by Salt Lake County that urges caution and the need for a better business plan before county funds are committed to any theater project makes a lot of sense to us.

The Cultural Facilities Master Plan, put together by AMS Planning & Research consultants, is full of sensible recommendations. We also like the process the consultants used to reach its conclusions.

The planners divided the county into five geographical areas and, applying to each one a set of criteria based on needs and resources, came up with a list of 15 projects they say should receive priority when county funds become available. In 2011 the county's Tourism, Recreation, Cultural and Convention fund will get a boost as a Salt Palace expansion is paid off and payments to the Real Salt Lake soccer stadium shrink.

The bulk of the projects are in Salt Lake City, where the study recommends renovations at the county-owned Abravanel Hall, Capitol Theatre and Salt Lake Art Center and expansion of the Rose Wagner Center.

The research also found interest around the county in three regional cultural centers, each with a theater and black-box playhouse, and the priority list includes those.

As for a new theater geared toward hosting Broadway shows such as "Lion King" and "Wicked," the report was less enthusiastic. Although we support such a venue in downtown Salt Lake City, we agree that county funding should depend at least partially on a comprehensive plan that shows adequate community support for the theater as well as a thorough review of how it would affect Kingsbury Hall and the Capitol Theatre, where some such shows are already booked.

The study shows significant potential losses to those existing venues if the new theater is built.

The county also should demand a detailed financial plan that shows how construction, maintenance and operations would be funded.

A private developer says he would not ask for county funds for a theater in Sandy, but the county should make sure a Salt Lake City project is supported by a sound business plan before it commits any funds.