By Tom Haraldsen | [email protected]

BOUNTIFUL—A dream becomes a vision, then a plan, and then a creation. On Saturday, that creation became reality when the new Bountiful Ice Ribbon opened at Bountiful Town Square.

Mayor Randy Lewis was joined by city council members and other local dignitaries to cut the ribbon and usher in the ice ribbon, a 7,000 square foot ice skating venue that curls around the south end of the square. Lewis said the ceremony marked “the true beginning of Bountiful Town Square.”

The square culminates a two-plus year process of construction on the site of the old Stoker School. Once that building was razed three years ago, officials began in earnest to design and create the new square that the city calls “a gathering place for families, and a generator for downtown businesses.” The ice ribbon was a collaborative effort between Bountiful City and the South Davis Recreation District.

“For any project like this to be completed, it takes vision and work, and then the meshing of design and construction,” Lewis said. “This could not have happened without the combined efforts of the city and the recreation district. It is an extension of the great ice-skating arena they operate at the South Davis Recreation Center.”

As residents arrived for the opening ceremony, they saw something never spotted before in downtown Bountiful – a Zamboni machine used to resurface the ice before skating began. The ice ribbon is managed by the SDRD, with staff operating a skate rental facility on site and overseeing ice maintenance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has curtailed some of the plans city officials had for opening the Town Square, which features among other things an interactive water system and recirculating stream, an amphitheater and small stage, and food and drink venues. Though a large opening ceremony wasn’t held as hoped for this fall, as Lewis said, “whether it’s a big event or small event, you have to have a starting event. And we’re having one here today.”

He said the city’s plan from the beginning of creation for the square was “to have a place for people to have fun, and to build support for our Main Street businesses.” City officials visited similar ice ribbon facilities in other Utah communities, including in Herriman, to get a fuller vision of what such a venue would look like in Bountiful. Lewis also said the town square is a fitting tribute to Stoker School, hosting families at its original location and bringing the community together “for many years to come.”

Centerville city councilmember Tami Fillmore also spoke briefly, praising the way cities in south Davis County collaborate on many projects.

“What we’ve learned is that working together, we can do more for our communities,” she said.

During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, skating on the ribbon is available only through appointments that can be made on the recreation center website at www.southdavisrecreation.com. The site lists operating hours and costs for skate rental.