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No lyin' – Lagoon pays $16K for Capitol lions

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Anonymous | 8:12 p.m. Oct. 8, 2009

Seems to me that the State is selling our Historical heritage on EBay to make a few bucks. Why?

UtahSpeculator | 5:10 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Does Senator Hatch qualify as an historical artifact?

Good idea | 6:34 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

It's just stuff - sell it and put the money to good use on modern needs.

Comments continue below

THEeyepatch | 6:40 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

The can stick them at the entrance of Dracula's Castle.

THEeyepatch | 6:40 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

*they

nottyou | 7:03 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

The customers are the ones that purchased the concrete lions. With higher ticket prices, The Goon will be so much more wonderful with the lions in place.

wallofvoodoo | 8:09 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

It seems win win. Lagoon get some advertising, gets some cool attractions, the people who go to Lagoon will be able to enjoy seeing them, the Lions will be preserved for future generations, the lions get fixed up with private money & the tax-payers get some money in the coffers. I have yet to see a down-side.

Re: Anonymous | 8:15 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

So, how much money did you bid to preserve these lions? I mean, if it was so important I'm sure you must have spared no expense to "protect" them.

Oh, you didn't bid anything? Well, I guess Utah's "Historical heritage" means about as much to you as it does the state.

Lagoon just gave the state $16,000 for old worn statues that were considered to be worth less than 1/10 that price. The state gets money to operate, Lagoon gets cool statues of lions (which, incidentally, will be restored and put on display at the park), and now there is less of a reason to raise your taxes.

Win-win-win.

Thank you. | 8:19 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

We should all thank the State for being creative in revenue raising. The money that came from the ebay sale is that much less that will be taxed on the rest of us. As I see it, everybody wins!

anonymous | 8:47 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Fine, I'm taking my ball and going home!!!!!!

Charles in SLC | 9:03 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Sounds like Lagoon has money they don't know what to do with.

re: UtahSpeculator | 9:23 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Thanks for the laugh. I needed it this morning.

Sticky mess | 10:31 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Those lions will be covered in gum in no time just like everything else at Lagoon.

True Icon | 10:39 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

I am glad that they will be at Lagoon. It is more of a state landmark than the Capitol. Lagoon creates great memories for families; the Capitol-government mostly finds ways to take away our happiness and family memories. Let the lions protect lagoon and let the politicians fend for themselves.

Anonymous | 12:23 p.m. Oct. 9, 2009

They cancel the fireworks for both the July 4th and 24th because of the economy, but they have money to spend on stuff like this. Just does'nt make sense.

wallofvoodoo | 12:36 p.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Agree 100% True Icon.

bet that hatch | 12:50 p.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Senator Hatch could sell one suit, a tie, and his shoes for $6100 on ebay

Andrew Wiggin | 1:17 p.m. Oct. 9, 2009

My bid of fifty bucks was just not enough, I guess. Dang, I guess I'll have to find something else for my front porch garden.

a-mad | 3:19 p.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Lagoon is struggling in this economy like all the other locally-owned theme parks nation-wide. I really can't see them actively bidding and forking over cash for something this unique and random unless they have a very specific purpose for it in the future. Dick Andrew is very careful in how he words it... but I really don't see them putting it in Pioneer Village to increase attendance ("let's go to Lagoon and see the Concrete Lions from the Capital Building!")

My guess is that its for a major new attraction, and it is cheaper to refurbish something old like this, than commission a new sculpture(s). My hope is that its for a new coaster... but I doubt we'd see anything until 2011, as a major coaster announcement would have already been made if its 2010 (I'm guessing...)

Ned | 3:29 p.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Blast them Lagoonians! Beautiful concrete pieces of "Historical Heritage" Tee Hee...

Br | 12:54 a.m. Oct. 10, 2009

a-mad...

There are much cheaper alternatives than buying used $16,000 statues. If this were for a "major new attraction" it could really only be for viewing purposes. I mean, I doubt people will interact with it as part of an attraction to the point that it would have to be carved from stone.

Disgusted | 3:26 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

Of course. They didn't keep their commitment to keep Pioneer Village free to the community and now they charge seniors to hang out and spend money there because of their "bottom line" - why not buy lions? I'm pretty much through with Lagoon anyway. It costs a fortune for a family to even go there.

who cares. | 4:06 p.m. Oct. 12, 2009

Honestly.. who cares?! The money belongs to Lagoon, and they have the right to do with it as they please! Everyone needs to take a chill pill, pay the $14 bucks to enter the park, or move on!

How sad | 11:23 a.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Isn't it amazing that one can purchase a full season pass, that is good for any six flags park in the country, for cheaper than a one-day admission into Lagoon?

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3 photos

Stuart Johnson, Deseret News

Four concrete lions that once guarded the entrances to the Utah Capitol were sold on eBay for between $4,000 to $8,100 each. Lagoon bought three of them and a Salt Lake resident the fourth.

Gallery (3 photos)