State Fairpark and Utah State Fair Foundation officials Monday reiterated their goal: make the Fairpark self-sufficient.
They met for about 40 minutes with Gov. Mike Leavitt and Charlie Johnson, the governor's chief of staff, at the Capitol. They discussed building plans and other proposals aimed at helping the Fairpark, a nonprofit public corporation, to wean itself from state funds.After the meeting, Leavitt spokeswoman Vicki Varela said the governor is "supportive" of the corporation's efforts. The governor received a "good progress report" during an informational meeting, Varela said.
Fairpark director John Whittaker said he, Fairpark Board Chairman Pam Turner and other officials believe the governor was supportive.
But Whittaker and Turner quoted Leavitt as saying he could make no commitments now. They said Leavitt reminded them the Fairpark is also dependent on the Utah Legislature.
Fairpark officials say the corporation, which sponsors the annual Utah State Fair and handles interim rental operations, must have more new and upgraded facilities so it can attract more business.
Some of the facilities, including the deteriorating, historic Coliseum, are an eyesore and a deterrent to achieving self-sufficiency, the officials maintain.
The Fairpark hopes to construct additional seating, cover the horse arena and build a trade show facility, a recreational vehicle park and an amphitheater.
Whittaker said Monday the Fairpark has received two bids on the arena. The bids range between $4.5 million and $5 million.
He also said Nederlander Group, a Los Angeles organization, is teaming with Space Agency, Salt Lake City, on a proposal to build an amphitheater that could seat a minimum of 10,000. If approved and state and private funds become available, the amphitheater could be built near the northwest corner of the Fairpark, he said.
The state, which leases the Fairpark to the corporation, has about two acres of property west of the Jordan River where the RV park could be located, Whittaker said.
Whittaker said Fairpark and foundation officials have heard reports that light-rail tracks may be installed along North Temple between the downtown business district and Salt Lake International Airport.
With 3,000 parking stalls, the Fairpark would be an ideal location for a light-rail depot where drivers could park their cars and travel to either the downtown area or to the airport.
All of these facilities would be a way of helping the Fairpark become self-sufficient, as directed in legislation that created the corporation, Whittaker said.
The Fairpark became a private corporation effective July 1, 1995.
He said plans are proceeding to demolish the historic Coliseum before July 31. Corrections workers are now removing asbestos from the 84-year-old structure, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That work will require about a month to complete, Whittaker said.
The Utah Division of Facilities Construction and Management will issue a request for bids May 18. The State Building Board recently gave approval for the Fairpark to use $200,000 in state funds to demolish the Coliseum.
The Fairpark asked for $400,000 from the 1997 Utah Legislature, but it received $270,000 in operating funds for the fiscal year beginning July 1.