CENTERVILLE -- Two years ago a county Recreation Arts and Parks (RAP) tax for a community theater was denied. Now South Davis officials want it back on the ballot for the 2007 municipal elections. Although the RAP tax failed the first time it was on the ballot, Centerville mayor Ronald Russell believes the issue will have more support this time.

"Unfortunately they did not have the issues identified for the voters and it failed, but it was close," he said.

"Since that time there have been several developments that have made the time right for us to make the project, at least in the south part of the valley."

Russell said recently the state legislature changed the statute so the RAP tax could be considered in municipal elections as well as county elections.

While the county election will not be held for another two years, the municipal election will take place next fall. Russell has been communicating with mayors from West Bountiful, North Salt Lake, Woods Cross and Bountiful in hopes of getting the RAP tax on their ballots.

Russell said another difference since the last time the RAP tax was on the ballot is the formation of the South Davis Metro Fire Agency and the Rec District. Russell hopes a similar partnership can be formed to have a South Davis community theater erected.

City officials are looking at the area west of the MTC building in Centerville for the location of the new theater. Centerville city's RDA has a specific parcel of property there, and a sizable amount of tax increment could be used in the construction of a facility.

"The concept here is that the theater would have its resident company (Rodgers' Mem-orial Theatre) and other community groups such as BPAC would be allowed to use the facility," said Russell

The group envisions a community theater with a main stage and theater seating of 400.

"It would be designed with a black-box type of theater, like Hale Center Theater," said Russell.

The Centerville mayor is seeking support from surrounding communities.

"I would see this as a partnership between the public and private sector," said Russell. "There are a lot of private donors who have expressed an interest.

"I would also like to see county funds from hotel and tourism revenue used," he said. "I am hopeful that the county commissioners would support the use of the funds in this way."

Athletic fields for a sport complex will also be proposed in the RAP tax.

"If we look regionally and take the big picture approach we could end up with a couple of great quality-of-life changing venues."

sclarke@davisclipper.com