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SLOC Makes Olympic Payments
SLOC is making good on its promise to pay communities for building Olympic venues. Today it handed over more than $10 million, and more money is still to come.
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(Apr. 1, 2002)------Seven years ago, the hockey arena at the E Center was little more than a field.
Now, it is one of the state's premier sports and entertainment facilties. And that, city leaders say, may be one of the best legacies left behind from the Olympic Games.
Olympic Specialist Shelley Osterloh reports.
The E-Center would not have been built if it weren't for the Games. During the Olympics, The E-Center hosted hockey, during the Paralympics, it hosted sledge hockey.
For its use, SLOC officials handed over a payment of more than $7 million.
City leaders admit, they went out on a limb to finance construction of the E-Center, but say it's proved to be a good decision.
Gearld Wright/Mayor West Valley City: WE'VE NOTICED THAT WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CRITICS AND THE CRITICS HAVE ALWAYS TOLD US, THAT HOW WE WERE GOING TO GO INTO THE HOLE AND IT WAS GOING TO BE A DISASTER FOR THE STATE OF UTAH. [edit] NOW THIS IS PROOF THAT WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS THE RIGHT THING, IT'S A GOOD THING AND IT WILL BENEFIT EVERYBODY.
John Patterson/West Valley City Manager: SEVEN YEARS AGO, SLOC PUT THEIR FAITH IN US, WE PROVED WORTHY OF THAT TRUST DURING THE GAMES. IT'S THRILLING TO HAVE THE CHECK NOW IN HAND, KNOWING THAT 7 MILLION DOLLARS PLUS INTEREST IS GOING TO FURTHER INCREASE THE EQUITY FOR THE E CENTER.
And earlier this morning, SLOC's chief operating officer, Fraser Bullock, gave another check to Provo Mayor Lewis Billings.
That $3 million check, added to payments already made, means SLOC has paid Provo more than $7.4 million for use of the Peaks Ice Arena, which hosted hockey games during the Olympics.
Lewis Billings/Mayor, Provo: AND SO IT'S A WONDERFUL LEGACY AND IT'S A WONDERFUL MOMENT FOR US BECAUSE WE MADE COMMITMENTS YEARS AGO, BASED ON THE PROMISE OF THIS PAYMENT. OF COURSE WE NEVER DOUBTED, BUT SOME WONDERED, AND THIS MORNING THE PAYMENT IS FINAL AND SECURE AND CERTAINLY APPRECIATED.
Officals in both cities say, the venues will continue to be a long-term beneficial legacy.
And within the next couple of weeks, SLOC will make more payments for the use of Steiner ice rink and the Salt Palace, which was used as the Media Center. That should be sizable check.
