But the biggest surprise of all may be that a third "pool" - this one is outdoors - is really a "splash pad" like the fountain at The Gateway in Salt Lake City.

"They could have mentioned it's only 3 feet deep," says Bountiful resident Carolyn Jorgensen, who voted for the center in last year's bond election and eagerly awaits its opening.

Yet, she is going to miss the sunny days with her kids at the pool. She envisioned the new outdoor pool would be like the old traditional one.

"We've been spoiled," she says. "Our relatives come stay with us every summer to play in a pool like this. It's like our vacation."

The voter guide used in last year's election was careful not to specify anything more than the new facility would include "outdoor water features." But with the recent talk of rising construction costs, it seems that the South Davis Recreation Center has been shrinking and expanding like a pair of drawstring pants.

In the past month alone, board members slashed the proposed splash-pad pool and decided to borrow some fixtures from Bountiful City, which is the sole owner of the current facility. Then, Davis County officials promised $2 million of its tourism tax to help pay for a new ice arena.

Suddenly, the rec center was intact again.

"It's going to be what the people voted on and more," says Bountiful City Manager Tom Hardy, noting that the county's cash infusion allowed planners to add four lanes to the competition pool.

Skeptics say it might be what they voted on. But it is still not what they wanted.

"It's hard to believe that in less than 12 months, they could already be 15 percent over budget," says Chuck Lazerus, an avid swimmer who champions saving money by upgrading the current outdoor pool. "They are underestimating that outdoor pool. It's one of the biggest draws - and not just for children."

Some wonder if the center was seriously being cut back. Or, did the outdoor pool fall victim to a round of budget cuts?

Bountiful Mayor Joe Johnson, chairman of the recreation center board, says no.

"We referred to it as an outdoor pool and I regret that we weren't more specific," Johnson says. "But it was never, ever intended to be more than [a splash pad]."

The reason officials give for not building a bigger outdoor pool is simple: They know from past experience that it's not practical to build something that is used just a few months each year.

"The bubble was no piece of cake to get on and off," Johnson says. "It had to be repaired numerous times. We crossed our fingers every time the wind blew."

With the indoor facility, swimmers will never have to worry about the weather, he says - no more evacuating the pool at the first sight of lightning. And it takes the guesswork out of what to do with the bubble during the months when the sun shines, but the early morning and evening temperatures make swimming outdoors uncomfortable.

They hope to appease sunbathers with a large deck area surrounding the splash pad. It also will feature a number of giant squirt guns, a slide and other water activities. Just how elaborate the setup becomes depends on how the rest of the construction goes. The deck and splash pad, designed to resemble a pirate's ship, are going to be the last things built.

"People will be surprised at how connective it is with the competition pool," says Hardy. "You can swim your laps, and then go sit on the deck or bring your towel and watch the kids."

Officials say they will be able to accommodate more people at the center since the competition areas will be separated from recreational swimmers. A section of the new recreation pool will feature a spongy lining for water aerobics.

"If you live in one of the five south Davis cities, you're going to have more than ever before," says Mayor Johnson. "Three high school swim teams can train and compete here, [and] our seniors are going to have their pool for water aerobics and resistance walking. The kids are going to have a great play area that's safe.

"The bottom line is, we tried to accommodate as many people as we could," he adds. "But it's true that you can't please everybody."

lorib@sltrib.com