OGDEN -- Additional soil and groundwater tests may be needed before Ogden can begin construction of an $18.5 million high-adventure recreation center proposed for the downtown mall site.
Results from two rounds of tests conducted by the city indicate the presence of petroleum and tetrachloroethyline, a solvent, in soil and groundwater at the mall site. The test results have been forwarded to the state Department of Environmental Quality.
The city is seeking a letter from DEQ assuring one of the institutions involved in financing the recreation center, GE Commercial Finance, that the petroleum and tetrachloroethyline pose no liability. The rec center building would be collateral for $8.9 million in bonds.
DEQ environmental scientist Mark Crim said Thursday he has conducted a "frontline" review of the test results and forwarded them to two other offices within his agency for further analysis.
"First off, there needs to be a more comprehensive definition of the contamination," Crim said. "I'm suggesting that the two other entities that will review it beyond me may request additional subsurface studies."
Crim said he does not know when the current analysis will be complete, or how long it would take to conduct additional studies if necessary.
If the city does not get the matter resolved soon, it could see further increases in the estimated cost of the recreation center.
It goes without saying that increasing project costs are becoming more than a minor problem, but that isn't stopping Ogden City officials from maintaining a strong-willed and optimistic attitude.
Despite continued delays -- the City Council initially approved it last December -- Mayor Matthew Godfrey said he is not about to give up on the recreation center.
"The rec center is absolutely critical for the mall project, so for me to throw my hands up ... would be foolish," Godfrey said. "It's not a question of it being too hard or too difficult or anything like that. We've got to do it."
The general contractor for the recreation center, Ogden-based R&O Construction, reportedly has guaranteed current construction cost estimates only through the end of the month.
However, David Harmer, Ogden community and economic development director, said he does not believe the city is in "imminent danger" of another increase.
"We had talked about Sept. 1, but I think things are holding OK," he said.
It may well be that Mayor Godfrey and Dave Harmer are disciples of the great Norman Vincent Peale, Napoleon Hill... or Adam Sandler's "Happy Gilmore" perhaps, as advocated by one web "advice" source:
You may call me crazy. but it's true.
When I recently saw one of my favorite movies, "Happy Gilmore" starring Adam Sandler, I realized that this movie has an extremely important success principle that you should know about to achieve success in the new year.
Let me explain:
In the movie, the main character, Happy, can't find a stable job and can't seem to make his dream of playing hockey come true.
..And after Happy fails to make the hockey team for the 11th time, his girlfriend gets fed up and leaves him...in other words, his life seems like a complete failure.
Then his life turns around when he makes a very important promise to his Grandmother and himself that he will get her house back from the government, which may be auctioned off unless Happy comes up with $270,000 in 90 days.
So, what does this have to do with success?
You see, soon after he made that promise to his grandmother, he realized that he had an amazing talent to drive a golf ball, which he developed as a hockey player.
..And by stating his desire to make enough money to get his grandmother's house back, new solutions began to appear that would have otherwise gone by unnoticed.
Do you have any hidden opportunities around you? You'll only find them if you make it known to yourself and to others what you are looking for.
Once Happy becomes a professional golfer and starts taking home big checks, the antagonist 'Shooter McGavin' hires a man to intimidate Happy while he is golfing, so he will not win the championship.
This strategy of intimidation takes its toll on Happy, and Happy's game falls apart because his mind becomes clouded with self-doubt and intense irritation.
Although it looks as if Happy won't get the house back after all, Happy's strong desire to accomplish his promise and goal attracts a mentor to him who recognizes Happy's skill and determination to succeed.
His mentor, Chubbs, teaches him how to overcome his mental obstacles and this is what he says:
"Happy, go to your happy place. Picture what you really want and go there." When happy does this he pictures his grandmother winning the lottery, a new girlfriend, and other pictures of his most wildest and successful dreams.
With this picture in his mind Happy easily overcomes all obstacles with confidence and defeats "Shooter Mcgavin" in a stunning victory to win his grandmother's house back.
So, here's the success principle that you can use to bring the success you desire in the new year. I like to call it:
The "Happy Place" Success Principle - Once you've decided what you want picture yourself there. I like to call this your "Happy Place." By picturing your "happy place" doubt and fear will disappear because you are certain of what you want and your mind will become clear...
I prefer to call it the Jiminy Cricket syndrome myself -— the idea that when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.
Whatever you wish to call it, though, you have to award our Ogden City officials a few bonus points for their sheer determination, right? Lesser mortals probably would have thrown in the towel quite a while ago.
And what say our gentle Weber County Forum readers about this?
