Group pushes for recreation center in Shelley

We hear it all the time-you might even say it- there’s nothing to do in eastern Idaho.

Some people are looking to change that by bringing a huge recreation center- the Shelley-Theater-Arts-Aquatic-Recreation-Center- to Shelley.

“Most people in this community wish it was built yesterday,” said Debi Wilson, executive director of STAARC.

The plan is to have an in door pool with water slides and a lazy river, a crossfit gym, two full size gymnasiums and a 1,500 seat auditorium, and much more.

“They are very excited about it. We have a lot of support,” Wilson said.

But something this big does come with a price. It’s a $25 million project. Half of it will be funded by donations and sponsorships while the other half will be through property taxes. So pending a bond election, there could be an increase for people who live in the Shelley school district.

“We’ll all have to help pay for the facility,” said Wilson.

She said it won’t be much, but even with that she said people are still excited about it.

“It will give the kids here something to do, there’s not really a lot to do in Shelley and we can bring in so many things to benefit our youth to help with their fitness, their education it increases everything,” said Wilson.