Old factory to become West Jordan arts center

WEST JORDAN — Out of business for 42 years, West Jordan's sugar factory is ready to be reincarnated.

The factory was once a longtime economic hub for the southwest area of the Salt Lake Valley. Now, city leaders are working to bring the historic sugar complex back as a center for the arts.

It's estimated a renovation of the factory could cost between $15 million to $20 million, but in the end, after all of the asbestos is removed and the city is sure the walls are seismically sound, Mayor Dave Newton says the facility would be an arts center that would benefit the whole valley.

"We want to use it for visual arts and an arts complex for painting, drawing, photography, film, theatrical arts, plays, music and bands and symphonies," Newton said. "We want to create a whole arts-type focus for this southwest part of the valley that would draw people to this center."

West Jordan asked the Legislature for $200,000 to help pay for asbestos removal from the building, but $40,000 was ultimately approved in the state budget for a one-time boost to the project.

The sugar factory is one of West Jordan's most recognized relics. It opened its doors in 1916 and quickly became a financial staple for the region. At its height of operation in 1950, the factory was the largest employer in West Jordan, according to the West Jordan Historical Society.

The factory closed its doors in 1966, but part of the factory is used

for the Sugar Factory Playhouse, a local theatrical organization.

Still, no matter how much time has passed, the memory of sugar beet harvesting has not been forgotten by longtime residents who are working to preserve the factory's legacy.

"When I moved here, it was still in operation," said Nola Duncan, chairwoman of the sugar factory preservation committee. "In the fall there was always a sickening sweet smell that permeated the air all over West Jordan as they were processing the beets."'

West Jordan hired a professional fundraising company to garner funds for the renovation project and an update on the company's progress is expected to be available in a month or two, Duncan says.

In the meantime, the West Jordan Historical Society is working to complete an oral history of the factory based on recollections of former employees. The society obtained a grant and started the project last August and plans to be finished this spring.

"We're just excited to have the history of (the factory) preserved," said historical society president Linda Dalley. "The museum is a group of independent volunteers, and by the time we're done cleaning the toilets and cutting the grass, there isn't much museum time left. So to get something that really has historical value, that, to us, is really a blessing."

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