Gallivan Center may get renovations

During the last fiscal year, 311 events were held at the Gallivan Utah Center. They ranged from wedding banquets to the Twilight Concert Series to the Rock 'n' Ribs Fest.

Passing by on 200 South, one tell-tale sign clues you in that something big is happening at Gallivan: a line of portable toilets.

If Talitha Day, Gallivan's manager, has her way, that will change.

"As nice as port-a-potties are, it would be so nice not to have them lined up on 200 South," Day told the Salt Lake City Council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency's board, Thursday.

The 13-year-old center, which is owned by the city's RDA, is at the beginning stages of what could be a fairly elaborate renovation process. About $1.3 million has already been allocated for maintenance on leaky fountains and landscaping.

But the RDA is considering upgrades — presented as two alternate packages — that could bring the total up to $5.6 million. That includes the money already allocated and other money coming from the Gallivan Center's revenue.

That more expensive upgrade package, favored by Day and the Gallivan staff, would tear down the existing rental building for the center's ice-skating rink, which is located next to the rink and takes up prime stage-viewing space.

A new building would be built on 200 South that would house the rental facilities, storage and indoor public restrooms to replace the portable toilets. With the old rental building gone, the amphitheater could be expanded to increase capacity from 1,216 to 2,090.

"We want to be able to have more people enjoy the Gallivan Center," Day said.

The upgrades would also see the rink's ice surface raised to ground level — it currently sits a few inches below grade — and in the summer it would be covered to make way for additional tables and chairs. That would do away with the reflecting pool the rink currently becomes in the summer but would allow more people to attend the Gallivan's various summer concerts.

While many council members seemed receptive to the plan, they did call for more information from RDA staff before they'll vote for additional allocations.

Such Gallivan upgrades have gone before the RDA board many times in recent years. Councilwoman Nancy Saxton said she has seen various proposals about four times in her years on the board. This time, she said, it appears the tenacity of Gallivan's staff could pay off.

"I really like this plan better than the other ones we've seen," Councilman Dave Buhler said.

Saxton was concerned that a building on 200 South could do away with the openness of the plaza.