County officials said Tuesday they plan to use $2 million from their tourism-tax fund to replace the ice sheet as part of a nearly $20 million overhaul of the 30-year-old Bountiful Recreation Center, which has assumed the South Davis moniker to reflect participation in the overhaul by five south county communities.

"We were told that if we didn't [contribute], they were going to have to do without the bleachers and other view areas," County Commission Chairwoman Carol Page said Tuesday. "And we would have all of these visitors coming from out of state, and they would not be able to watch any of the events."

The deal will help SDRC officials stretch funds so they can build other features, such as an outdoor splash pool, additional racquetball courts and a climbing wall. Those features had tentatively been erased from the project's budget last month, due to rapidly rising costs of building materials.

County officials approved of the bailout, saying the center would bring in a large number of tourists who participate in the many hockey and figure-skating events held at the arena.

"Not only does this attract a number of competitors and spectators to our state, but it allows Utahns to train and compete at national events as well," Page said.

Opponents say the county has opened the door for other cities to come calling for county tax dollars.

"Construction costs are an inherent part of these projects, and this is just one more example of why the cities and the county should not be in the business of risking tax dollars to build rec centers in the first place," said Mike German of the Utah Taxpayers Association.

"With the pressing transportation, public-safety and higher-education needs of the state, these types of projects are pure pork."

The deal is part of a three-way agreement between Bountiful, the SDRC and Davis County. The plan calls for Bountiful to put up $2 million right away and the county will pay it back to the SDRC in twice-annual payments of $238,000 - including a 3.5 percent interest rate for the next 10 years.

Three years ago, the county rebuffed a $6 million request from the five south Davis County mayors who oversee SDRC. County Auditor Steve Rawlings, who sits on the SDRC board, said talks resurfaced last month after it looked like the project would not be built to meet voter expectations.

"We initially thought we didn't have the fund balances in our tourism-tax fund available to us," he said, "But through this partnering project and based on projections of increased tourism revenue, we believe we will be able to accomplish it."

Bountiful officials say their $2 million loan is money earmarked for long-term city projects that can be used as the money is paid back.

"We are praying we don't have an earthquake," said Bountiful City Manager Tom Hardy. "This is money we've committed to sewer, street and other projects to meet the future needs of our city."

lorib@sltrib.com

Who gives tax dollars to South Davis Rec Center?

* $18 million in a voter-approved bond in Bountiful, Woods Cross, North Salt Lake, Centerville and West Bountiful.

* $1.1 million from Bountiful.

* $3.1 million partnership between Bountiful and the Davis School District.

* $2 million from Davis County.