While the naughty may fear the prospects of coal-filled stockings, some Utah sports fans will be thrilled to find bricks under the tree this Christmas.
For the Jazz fan who has everything, Salt Lake County offered a chance Saturday to buy a piece of the Palace - an autographed brick or chair from the soon-to-be-dust Salt Palace Acord Arena.Jazz center Mark Eaton signed the items for Utahns who wanted a little remembrance of things past in Utah.
"I have a lot of special memories attached to the sports arena," said Eaton. "The first nine years of my career were spent here - and they were the best years of my career.
"It will be a sad day when it comes down with everything that has transpired inside. The Jazz was such a big part of this arena that I thought someone from the team should be here."
Eaton took a few bricks with him to put on his mantle at home. Jazz players John Stockton and Karl Malone, coaches Jerry Sloan and Frank Layden and sportscaster Ron Boone (who played for the Utah Stars before the National Basketball Association came to Salt Lake City and who later played for the Jazz) also autographed bricks and chairs. The cost of a signed chair: $10. Autographed bricks sold for $20.
Crews are to begin demolishing the arena "any day now," said Salt Lake County Commissioner Jim Bradley. Half of the Palace along South Temple will remain open during construction to host conventions and special events. The nearly $1,500 raised at Saturday's memento sale will be used at the open house of the $70 million Convention and Community Center in October 1995.
"When the Delta Center was built, the Salt Palace became surplus. Downtown Salt Lake isn't big enough to support two major sports arenas," said Bradley.
Salt Lake City has been "discovered" as a destination for conventions because it is a beautiful, friendly and safe city. To compete with other cities, Salt Lake City must build a convention center that is modern and can accommodate larger crowds. Already, $100 million in booked convention business has been secured for 1996, the year the center reopens, said Bradley.
Jazz fan Max Pollard purchased a personalized brick to send to his buddy in Seattle. The two friends shared season tickets for six years, sitting in the Salt Palace arena cheering the team on.
How much will it cost to mail a brick to Seattle? "It doesn't matter," said Pollard. "The surprise of opening a brick in a gift-wrapped box will be worth any price," he said.
Kevin Riddle brought three of his sons with him Saturday to purchase a brick and an arena chair signed by Eaton. Riddle was in 6th grade when the Utah Stars won the NBA championship.
"My wife thought I was just getting a brick . . . I have no idea where we'll put this chair, but I'm sure she'll be surprised with this gift," he said. "I don't think she has anything like it."