Brigham Young University has become the third Utah County entity to express interest in building a speed-skating facility for the 1998 Winter Olympics.
"We will cooperate with the citizens of Utah County in every reasonable way consistent with the objectives of the university in examining the prospects for bringing the speed-skating venue here," BYU President Rex E. Lee told the Utah County Winter Olympics Committee on Tuesday.The oval could serve as an indoor football field for use by the BYU football team, said Provo Mayor Joe Jenkins, vice chairman of the committee. Conventions and trade shows also could be held in the multiuse facility.
BYU spokesman Paul Richards said, "BYU has met with civic officials to discuss the possibilities of bringing the venue to Provo, and we are exploring all aspects and implications for such a move."
The BYU board of trustees, however, has not taken a position on the matter, he said.
Still to be considered is the effect such a facility would have on the curriculum and other programs at the university and the commitment needed in turning over the land or building to the state Olympics committee.
There is also some sensitivity regarding the standards of BYU and if they would become difficult to enforce once the speed-skating oval is built.
"If it's a problem, we may see some board of trustees' feelings to not have it here," Richards said. "The venue would be great here, but there are some pragmatic, logistical problems we have to look at as a university in determining how much direct support we would provide for a venue."
Utah Valley Community College and Seven Peaks Resort were previously named as interested parties in building the speed-skating oval. The $25 million, 210,000-square-foot facility would be built on 10 acres and require 1,700 parking spaces.
A possible site on BYU property would be the field west of Cougar Stadium. UVCC has several areas of undeveloped land, and Seven Peaks would build the facility on property north of the water park. All three are interested in developing a multiuse facility.
A subcommittee of the Utah County Winter Olympics Committee will develop the criteria to evaluate each site and present the best proposal to the committee Nov. 7.
"We need to start working to get our ducks in line," Jenkins said. "If the referendum passes, the governor will appoint a sports authority and oversight committee to choose the venues."
The sites will most likely be determined before the Legislature adjourns in February next year, he said.
He said some people mistakenly believe the sites have already been chosen, "but that is not true. We are still very much in the running. The sports authority has not been set up yet to make a determination."
If Utah County has a large voter turnout in favor of the Olympics referendum and the county makes a good presentation to the authority, the county has a good chance at the speed-skating venue, Jenkins said.