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Donors that Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey hoped to tap for Ogden's $40 million Field House project appear lukewarm on forking over funds.
The one-page list, obtained by resident Dan Schroeder after appeals through the city's Records Review Board, tallies a potential $31.5 million from four foundations, a hotel and five government entities — including $1 million from the cash-strapped Legislature.
Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, who oversees state budget deliberations, said no one approached him about Field House funding. "I understand that Mayor Godfrey wants to revitalize downtown Ogden," Hillyard said, but he added that such an appropriation would be highly unlikely due to fiscal constraints.
John and Karen Gullo of Ogden— New York transplants who founded the American Dream Foundation — appeared on Godfrey's list for $2 million for the project's 60,000-square-foot water park.
Reached Thursday, John Gullo joked about naming the water park "Gullo's Grotto," but then said the couple focuses largely on helping troubled youths.
"If we touch one kid and he remembers us, that's all John and Karen Gullo care about," Gullo said. "We have funded some things, but branding something with our name is not in our interest."
Weber County was potentially on the hook for $3 million. The county's Recreation, Arts, Museums and Parks board has already denied the city's $4 million request, preferring shovel-ready projects that have other financial support in place.
County Commissioner Craig Dearden said preliminary discussions about county funding took place because the project would connect to the Ogden Eccles Conference Center. "There were concerns about whether we could do that" in light of the economy, he said.
Councilman Brandon Stephenson — now a candidate for Ogden mayor — said he's a fan of the Field House concept because it would boost the downtown conference center, provide services for Weber State University and the Ogden School District and also act as a regional draw.
Stephenson hopes that discussions continue on a project he termed "ever-fluid" because of its evolution from an indoor cycling track to a five-acre recreation destination.
"Money is always the problem," Stephenson said. "I think there are partners out there that will contribute but are waiting to see what the city will do."
Mayor Godfrey, who is not seeking a fourth term in November, described the list as a "brainstorming exercise."
"I think this project is financially viable, even given the [economic] climate," Godfrey said, touting lower construction costs and interest rates as indications that it can still move forward.
Ogden Mayor Godfrey's list
of potential Field House donors:
Jeff & Bonnie Clark,$2 million, tennis facility
Eccles (Wattis) Foundation, $4 million, facility naming rights
Stuart Foundation, $1.5 million, in-field
John & Karen Gullo,$2 million, water park
Marriott, $1 million, pool
RAMP, $4 million
Ogden City, $3 million
Legislature, $1 million
Tax increment — Ogden, $10 million
Tax increment — Weber, $3 million
Total: $31.5 million