Horizon Junior High Gym in West Point: What Residents Can Use, and When

West Point residents have been asking what they can and can’t use at the new gymnasium built alongside Horizon Junior High. The city answered many of those questions in a frequently asked questions document posted to its news page. Here is a plain summary.

It is a school gym, not a rec center

The city says the building is not a public recreation center. It is an expanded junior high gymnasium built through an interlocal agreement between West Point City and the Davis School District. The city helped pay for the expansion and, in return, gets set times to use the space for city recreation programs, approved community events and other city activities, such as Arts Council classes.

The city’s share was financed with a $9 million bond. According to the FAQ, the city plans to repay it mainly with park impact fees charged on new development, with sales and franchise tax revenue pledged as a backstop. The city states that no property tax increase was approved or considered for the project.

What the public can use

• Indoor track and workout equipment: free, but only during city-run programs or events when city staff are in the building. There is no general drop-in access right now.
• Outdoor amenities open before and after school hours: pickleball courts (lighted for early morning and evening play), basketball courts, the ninja/obstacle course area and the children’s playground.
• Outdoor track and artificial turf field: not open to the public. The school district paid for them and they are gated, though the city says it hopes that could change in the future.

What’s next

The city says it is still learning how the gym affects its programs and has made no formal decision on expanding public access, which would require more staffing, maintenance planning and policy work. It also says it is working to acquire the roughly 10-acre grass field east of the school for future park space.

Organized teams, leagues and clubs may not use any city field without prior approval through the city’s Field Use Policy application. The FAQ directs those requests to the city’s recreation director.

The city also explained why there was no ribbon cutting: construction delays meant the gym went straight into use for the Jr. Jazz season, and staff have focused on getting it running smoothly since.

For more local stories, visit our West Point page or the latest Davis County news.

Dates, times and details are set by the city and can change. Please confirm on the official city website before you go.