Disc golf is a rapidly growing sport that has gained popularity all over the world. Utah is no exception, and many players in the state are interested in building and expanding disc golf courses to meet the growing demand. However, building and maintaining high-quality disc golf courses requires funding, which can be difficult to come by.
Fortunately, there are several programs in Utah that provide funding for parks and recreation, including disc golf courses. The PARC tax, RAP tax, and Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant are all great options for those looking to secure funding for their disc golf course projects. In fact, Utah is the only state in the nation that has these types of funding sources.
The PARC tax is a one-tenth of one percent sales tax that is collected by certain cities and counties in Utah. The tax revenue is dedicated to parks and recreation, including disc golf courses. American Fork, Logan, and Salt Lake County are just a few of the cities and counties that currently collect the PARC tax.
In 2022, American Fork funded a dog park near the Art Dye disc golf course out of the PARC tax. Unfortunately, the construction of the dog park caused a redesign of the disc golf course, which resulted in the loss of several holes and a significant reduction in the quality of the course. What's more, despite the cost of the dog park at $68,000, there has been very little reinvestment into the disc golf course. This highlights the importance of careful planning and consideration when using funding from programs like the RAP tax to ensure that all projects, including disc golf courses, receive the appropriate attention and resources they need to thrive.
Similarly, the RAP tax is a one-tenth of one percent sales tax that is collected by certain cities and counties in Utah. The tax revenue is dedicated to recreation, arts, and parks, including disc golf courses. Iron County and Washington County are just a few of the cities and counties that currently collect the RAP tax.
The Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG) is a state grant program that provides funding for outdoor recreation projects. Disc golf courses are eligible for this grant, and many courses in Utah have been built or improved with the help of this program.
These funding programs have been used to build and improve several disc golf courses throughout Utah, including Ironside and Three Peaks in Cedar City, Santaquin Disc Golf Course in Utah County, and the Parowan Canyon course in Parowan. These courses are prime examples of how funding can be used to create high-quality, enjoyable courses that meet the needs of local disc golfers.
However, securing funding can be a challenge, and it often requires the organization going after the grant to have "skin in the game". This means that the organization must provide a portion of the funding themselves, in addition to the grant funds received.
This is where organizations like ElevateUT Disc Golf come in. ElevateUT Disc Golf is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting and expanding disc golf in Utah. The organization works to secure funding, promote the sport to our municipal leaders, and build and maintain high-quality courses throughout the state.
If you are interested in supporting the growth of disc golf in Utah, consider making a tax-free donation to ElevateUT Disc Golf. Your donation will go towards securing funding for new and existing courses, promoting the sport, and providing the resources necessary to build and maintain high-quality courses throughout the state.
In conclusion, securing funding for disc golf courses in Utah can be a challenge, but there are several programs available to help. The PARC tax, RAP tax, and Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant have all been used to build and improve courses throughout the state. Organizations like ElevateUT Disc Golf can play a crucial role in securing funding and promoting the sport. If you are a disc golfer in Utah, consider getting involved to help grow the sport and improve the quality of courses in our state.
ElevateUT Disc Golf is working on three courses in the Salt Lake Valley in 2023. Information on these initiatives is currently available to our sustaining Patreon members. Consider joining today.
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