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'02 Games paving way for stadium upgrades
By Twila Van Leer
Deseret News staff writer
Rice Eccles Stadium & Tower on the University of Utah campus will hardly miss a beat after the excitement of its participation in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games has been relegated to the history books.
The $52 million — including $8 million provided by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee — upgrade that the stadium underwent to provide an effective setting for opening and closing ceremonies for the international event paved the way for other improvements that will expand its capabilities to host other events, said stadium director Mark Burk.
"Our mission is to maximize events for the campus and community," he said. Current information about stadium events is available on the Web site www.stadium.utah.edu.
"We're currently looking at synthetic turf that will make the stadium friendly for multiple events," he said.
New-generation synthetic turfs with rubberized infill are becoming more popular in stadiums around the country. "It plays and feels like grass," he said. Football teams are more accepting of the new materials, some preferring them to natural turf. After playing temporarily on a field with the fake turf, the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League decided to add it to their new stadium, he said.
For Utah's climate, the artificial grass may resolve late-season problems with keeping grass alive. High school football championship playoffs that are scheduled late in the season have been limited at the U. because of potential damage, Burk said. "The Utah High Schools Athletic Association will be looking at using the turf for more playoff games," he predicted.
High school band competitions also could be accommodated without fear of damage to the field, he added. The trampling caused by hundreds of marching teens caused the U. to prohibit such events. Effects were still apparent after the sod's winter rest.
How much artificial turf will cost isn't yet certain as bids are still being sought, but "it may cost less than keeping up the grass," he said. He expects that the turf will be installed as early as May and June. The U. spends $80,000 to $100,000 each year to maintain sod and over the expected eight- to 10-year life span of artificial turf, the costs may balance out, Burk said.
Right now, in the aftermath of the Olympic involvement, the stadium field is still covered by a temporary top. SLOC will contribute to the costs of removing that cover, he said.
Already scheduled in the refurbished stadium is a repeat of the Super Cross Motorcycle race that was held a year ago. It will be April 27, and tickets already are being sold, Burk said. Most of the 15 stops on the motorcycle circuit are in professional stadiums. Salt Lake City and Las Vegas are the only cities where college facilities are used. Some 42,000 spectators turned out for the trial run of the event at Rice Eccles, he said.
Burk expects the motorcycle race to become an annual event for the stadium. "That was one of the five top crowds we've had." In the summer, the Red Hot July 4 celebration brings some 30,000 to a huge entertainment and fireworks display.
Stadium officials also will be looking for major music concerts and other events that need a large seating capacity.
The tower has become a popular site for weddings, parties, meetings and other community events, with more than 200 a year scheduled.
What is to become of the Olympic caldron where the symbolic flame burned throughout the Games is still being debated, Burk said. "We'd like to make it into some kind of legacy piece and want SLOC to participate in that discussion."
E-MAIL: tvanleer@desnews.com
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March 18, 2002
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