If taxpayers of Pleasant Grove wanted to, they could fund the construction of a library, a public safety building and a park and still have bond money left over.

Prompted by a recent audit, city officials realized the council has the ability to issue more than $59 million in bonds for different construction projects.

"What this means is if citizens of Pleasant Grove want something bad enough, we are well under our cap to be able to do it," said Frank Mills, city administrator.

And the residents would have to want it. The type of available funds would come from general obligation bonds, which means residents must vote on the use of the money for each project proposed.

First on the city's wishlist is a new recreation center, south of Pleasant Grove High School's football field. The city has met with members of the Alpine School District, who have offered to give the city the necessary property near the existing outdoor pool in exchange for use of the facility.

District representatives and the City Council will meet if the city decides to go further with the recreation center concept, Mills said. An initial proposal could be on the City Council agenda in the next few weeks.

Gary Clay, city finance officer, said if the bonds were passed they would be paid off over the next several years through an increase in property taxes.

"It would have to be something that would be a benefit for the entire city," Clay said. "And not in an area where a business could generate income."

The construction and maintenance of the city's outdoor swimming pool, Battle Creek Park and Manilla Park have used 2 percent or $1.2 million of the city's available bonding capacity.

"We would never approach what our bonding limits are," Clay said.

Before the city can use the money to build a new recreation center, the council would vote, a public hearing would be held followed by a special election, Clay said.

"For the rec center it's the only way we can see to do it right now," he said.

The proposal is still in its infancy. City leaders don't know how much it would cost to build the recreation center.

Mills said the city can construct the building but would need the financial help of the school district for daily operations.

"It's foolish to think we could build a rec center and support it alone," Mills said.

Bill Delaney, assistant superintendent for grades 7-12 at Alpine School District, has been working with the city on the recreation center project. The city only gets the school-owned land if the voters pass the bond, otherwise there are plans to extend the high school's fields, he said.

With possible dance studios, an indoor swimming pool and weight room, Delaney said the recreation center would be something the school could use a lot.

"It's totally in the city's hands now," he said. "The agreement with the district could significantly reduce the cost to the community."

The district giving the city the property means taxpayers won't have to include the cost of land into the bond sale for the center, Delaney said.

Elisabeth Nardi can be reached at 344-2547 or enardi@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.