After the closure of Riverton’s skate park, the city council voted 3-2 to officially remove the skate park along 12300 South in front of the Old Dome building. 

With the skate park under the microscope of much discussion throughout 2025, it seems appropriate the final council vote of the year would involve the public amenity. 

Part of the resolution passed by the council includes the creation of a subcommittee of three councilmembers to “facilitate discussion, draft proposed policies and make recommendations to the full council for consideration.”

The resolution stated how staff explored options to repair it but recommended removal because “the current facility cannot be salvaged or preserved in a cost-effective manner.”

After looking at cost estimates, City Manager Kevin Hicks explained to the council they were looking to have city staff do the removal “to save taxpayer dollars.” He said having staff perform the job would be half the amount of a contractor. 

Then-councilmember Tawnee McCay, a consistent proponent for keeping the skate park where it is, was against the removal. She said she didn’t like approving something without a set dollar amount attached to it. She also added the removal should have been left to the new-look council this year to decide. 

McCay said she felt the skate park could still be fixed. 

The tiebreaking vote fell to former mayor Trent Staggs. Councilmember Spencer Haymond was absent for the meeting and under Riverton’s form of government the mayor — not a regular voting member — then breaks the tie, similar to how Councilmember Andy Pierucci was selected when Sheldon Stewart stepped down. 

Staggs noted they received “report after report” from city staff about issues with the facility and this was a chance to engage the input of the community for a new skate park. He highlighted the possibility of something new rather than updating the current version which was constructed in 2003.

“This is an opportunity to build something brand new with a clean slate and new council,” he said. 

Staggs previously noted he didn’t think any funds should be spent to replace the skate park, but said his tune had changed. 

“I can admit I was probably wrong in that regard and in listening to so many people, there is an interest in rebuilding the facility,” he said.

With various avenues for funding, Hicks highlighted a possible $18,000 from the Salt Lake County budget, Staggs was hopeful other funding sources could be found to minimize the cost to the city.