Pond may become water-ski site

OGDEN — A pond that was once a popular fishing hole before being shut down because of contamination may be reopened as a venue for competitive water skiing.

The 21st Street Pond, an old gravel pit with water that was contaminated by a nearby rail yard, could be developed into a ski pond, Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey said.

"We believe we can make that a real gem for the city," Godfrey said.

The city is working with Goode Ski Technologies on preliminary plans for developing the pond, which was shut down five years ago because of contamination. Goode Ski moved its operations from Michigan to Ogden earlier this year.

Goode Ski is leasing the pond from the Utah Department of Transportation at no cost through the city and testing products at the site, Godfrey said. After an environmental cleanup this fall, the pond will be deeded to the city.

The pond was dug by the Utah Department of Transportation to extract construction material for I-15 and was later filled with water, Godfrey said. The pond was a popular fishing hole until about five years ago, when environmental officials discovered the southeast corner was contaminated.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to clean the pond last year as part of the Ogden Rail Yard Superfund site. The cleanup could begin this month and will take about three months.