1 / 5

Splash Summit is pictured Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Provo.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

2 / 5

Splash Summit is pictured Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Provo.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

3 / 5

Slate Canyon Park is pictured Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Provo.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

4 / 5

Splash Summit is viewed from city-owned land near Slate Canyon on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

5 / 5

The proposed Splash Summit park and resort at the base of Slate Canyon is pictured.

Courtesy Provo City

❮ ❯

Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi made an emphatic statement via social media Monday night by declaring “Slate Canyon is not for sale.”

In a video posted to her personal Facebook account and the official Provo government account, the mayor said she is against Splash Summit’s proposal to purchase city land at the mouth of Slate Canyon to build a new water park.

“As for me, the owner’s proposal to buy this land is fully and completely declined,” she said. “No sale can happen without my approval. So this puts an end to it.”

Splash Summit presented a plan in an April neighborhood meeting to buy over 130 acres of city-owned land near the base of Slate Canyon to build a new water park and other amenities. The proposal was met with backlash from residents who wanted to preserve the land for recreation.

Kaufusi’s decision effectively blocks the proposal because under Provo’s “strong mayor” form of government, the sale of city land requires mayoral approval.

A proposal to buy city property is not reviewed by the planning commission and is only reviewed by the City Council if the mayor chooses to support the sale, according to the city’s legal department.

“Put another way, deciding whether or not to sell city property is an executive branch decision that needs council consent IF, and only if, the executive branch wants the sale to happen,” the legal department said.

City Councilwoman Katrice MacKay, who said she does not support selling the land, further explained to the Daily Herald on Tuesday that Splash Summit still has the right to go through the proposal process, and the City Council has the ability to rezone the property, but reaffirmed that the mayor has final say on selling land.

“The mayor could sit on it and say, ‘Well, I’m not selling that,'” MacKay said.

There is no current proposal from Splash Summit to be considered by the planning commission or the City Council, the city confirmed.

In a response for a request for comment, Splash Summit told the Daily Herald the park is committed to “clean, family-friendly fun for decades to come. We’re excited about our future. Stay tuned!”

Back at the April meeting with Neighborhood District 2 residents, project representative Bryan Bayles said Splash Summit wanted to replace its aging and confined water park on 1330 East and 300 North in Provo with a “world class” water park a few blocks south.

The proposal also included building a resort, retail with structured parking, a new park with an expanded disc golf course, pickleball courts and other amenities.

“We envision people coming to see the new entertainment options at Splash Summit, walking to the neighborhood retail, grabbing dinner,” Bayles said. “We envision a place where families and friends can gather to play pickleball or any other numerous enhanced outdoor activities. It’s a place where kids will have something to do that is close to home, where they can come and be kids again.”

Residents opposed it, pleading with the city to protect the land.

“It’s like Park City on the side of the east bench of Provo,” resident Jennifer Barton said. “And Park City is beautiful. … But not on the east bench of Provo.”

The city has previously considered building an improved park on the city-owned land, a project that would require adding to the public infrastructure.

Kaufusi appeared to reference the plans in a statement, saying, “the neighborhood has a vision for that area. Provo City shares that vision. Provo City has plans for that parcel.”

She also applauded Splash Summit for “thinking big” and said she supported the owners’ desire to enhance the park.

“We do wish Splash Summit continued success and hope they will continue their process of finding the best way to grow their business,” she said. “But as for this proposal — the proposal to purchase that parcel as part of the plan they presented — it was time to close the door.”

Kaufusi’s announcement comes just over a month away from the Aug. 12 municipal primary elections. She is seeking a third term in office and faces three opposing candidates: Marsha Judkins, Eric Mutch and Thatcher Alain Longman.