LAYTON — After 10 years of wishing, hoping and building, the Davis Conference Center is complete and ready for its grand opening gala Thursday.
With a theme of "Walk in the Clouds," the gala will create visions of various decorating possibilities throughout the ballroom and meeting rooms using gourmet foods, props, lighting and musical talent.
Singer-songwriter Peabo Bryson will perform for the grand opening gala. "We wanted an upscale talent with a style you can't find just anywhere," said Davis Arts Council Executive Director Charlene Nelson.
"Peabo Bryson has had a string of hits everyone loves to sing to." Nelson chairs the talent portion of the gala committee.
Bryson is known for his hits from "Beauty and the Beast," such as "Somewhere Out There" and "A Whole New World."
The $100 a plate, black-tie, invitation-only event is set for 700 guests, including local dignitaries, community leaders and business owners.
The conference center, north of the Layton Hills Mall, is designed to bring business events to Davis County and support conferences at nearby Hill Air Force Base. A 153-room Hilton Garden Inn is attached to the conference center.
The conference center was built at a cost of $11 million. County tourism taxes will be used to pay back the cost of the center and to fund its ongoing operation. The hotel cost $12 million. The hotel and conference center are a joint venture between Davis County and builder Kevin Garn, with Garn operating both.
Garn has reported some 250 conferences scheduled for the hotel and conference center during its first year of operation. He said the conference center will increase hotel room nights by about 50,000 during the first year and will add about 200 new jobs in the area.
E-mail: lweist@desnews.com