When it comes to the future of the Salt Palace, some unpleasant facts must be faced. Unfortunately, some Utahns are trying to duck them for the wrong reasons. As a result, the Salt Palace, Salt Lake Valley and the state of Utah are losing a great deal of money.
Fact One: Sometime in the fall of 1991, Larry Miller's large new arena will open as the home court for the Utah Jazz basketball team. It also will house the Golden Eagles hockey team and host other events, such as rodeos and concerts.As a result of those moves, the Salt Palace arena will be left essentially empty. Broad studies by community leaders show that the only thing to do is tear down the arena and use the site to expand convention facilities.
Fact Two: As a convention center, the Salt Palace is now 21 years old. It is badly in need of repair and expansion and is being outclassed by other cities competing for convention business. Most of those cities have giant new or expanded convention centers. By contrast, the Salt Palace increasingly is seen as substandard. It needs more meeting and banquet rooms and at least another 100,000 square feet of exhibit space.
Fact Three: The Salt Palace's shortcomings are costing money. National groups increasingly are looking elsewhere for better facilities and some that had already been scheduled are backing out. Since 1985, the Salt Palace has lost at least 25 major events with an estimated loss to the valley of $40 million.
All of these facts led consultants to recommend a $61 million remodeling and expansion as soon as possible. The state was supposed to come up with $15 million as its share, with Salt Lake City and county providing most of the rest. Gov. Norm Bangerter earmarked $15 million from the state's one-time budget surplus for this purpose.
But the Legislature, caught up in last-minute maneuvers and decision-making in its session this past February, couldn't get things sorted out and adjourned without appropriating the funds.
Everyone expected a special session would be called to take care of the problem. But as time has passed and the fall elections draw nearer, many lawmakers see a special session as potential trouble for a variety of reasons and would prefer to wait until the next regular session in January.
Yet such delay is not serving the public interest. The procrastination can mean higher construction costs as well as vanished business opportunities.
The Salt Palace upgrading has to happen and delay makes no sense financially. So why not call a special session and get the job started instead of being afraid of vague, conjectural shadows cast by the November election? Let's all roll up our sleeves and get on with the job.