Key Takeaways
- Davis County transforms 2002 Olympics venue into 55-acre youth sports complex with $70 million investment
- Facility features six full-sized soccer fields and 120,000 square feet of indoor multiuse space
- Tourism tax dollars funded the largest project in Davis County history
- Central Wasatch Front location offers easy access to Salt Lake City International Airport
- Common Spirit Health partnership brings medical support to the sports campus
From Olympic Legacy to Youth Sports Destination
Davis County officially opened the Western Sports Park this week, completing a $70 million transformation of the former Legacy Events Center. The 55-acre facility represents the largest project in county history, funded entirely through tourism tax dollars.
Originally constructed in 1990 to host the Olympic Rodeo Cultural Event during the 2002 Winter Olympics, the venue struggled to compete in the equestrian market following the games. The facility pivoted to hosting dog shows, trade shows, and youth sports events over the past two decades as demand for youth sports venues grew across Utah.
“Something that makes this facility very special is the location. We’re centrally located along the Wasatch Front and the western U.S. with easy access to Salt Lake (City) International Airport,” said Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson during Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Facility Infrastructure and Tournament Capacity
The Western Sports Park includes six full-sized soccer fields, 120,000 square feet of multiuse indoor space, and two indoor arenas equipped with stadium seating. The scale positions the facility to compete with out-of-state venues that currently draw Utah families to travel for tournaments.
“My kids play lacrosse, and I’ve traveled all over the country doing sports in different tournaments. And it’s nice to have a facility that’s equal to what we’ve seen out of state here in the state of Utah and in Davis County,” said Alesa Larsen, a Farmington resident and mother of four athletes.
Sean Deghani, who serves on Davis County’s tourism advisory board, expects the facility to generate economic impact beyond county borders. “I think it’s just an incredible accomplishment for the county to revitalize these 55 acres and turn it into a destination youth sports facility. I think it’s going to have a tremendous amount of economic impact, within Davis County and around surrounding counties as well.”
Healthcare Partnership and 2034 Olympics Role
Davis County announced a partnership with Common Spirit Health during the opening ceremony. The healthcare organization, which operates Holy Cross Hospital in Davis County, will provide medical support services at the sports complex.
Kyle Brostrom, president of Holy Cross Hospital, emphasized the partnership’s focus on community health through sports participation. Bryant Larsen, communications manager for Common Spirit Health, highlighted the facility’s potential for building community connections through youth athletics.
Commissioner Stevenson noted the venue’s planned role in the 2034 Winter Olympics when Salt Lake City again hosts the games, continuing the facility’s Olympic connection established over three decades ago.
Looking Ahead at Western Sports Park
The Western Sports Park’s opening positions Davis County to capture a larger share of the regional youth sports tournament market. The facility’s airport proximity and comprehensive infrastructure target traveling teams and families who previously chose venues in other states.
The public grand opening event runs Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., featuring facility tours and meet-and-greets with Utah college and professional athletes.
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