After 25 years since it was first built, the visitor’s center at Antelope Island State Park is about to be renovated and expanded. A new state-of-the-art learning center is in the final design stages and construction could begin by year’s end on the site of the existing center, which was originally planned to be just the first phase of a two-phase project. Now, phase two will become a reality.

A ceremony held in the center’s amphitheater on April 8 celebrated the recent appropriation of $12 million from the Utah State Legislature for construction of the expanded center. Representatives from the Utah Division of State Parks, Davis County, and the volunteer group Friends of Antelope Island gathered for the kickoff event.

“Just look at the majestic panoramas we have here today,” said Spence Kinard, a member of the Friends of Antelope Island, the organization formed in 1995 to promote the Antelope Island experience. “It’s an exciting time to realize that finally, we’re going to get a revitalized and expanded center, almost triple the size it is now. It will give us the opportunity for this building to be used for many, many events.”

Last year, the Utah Legislature appropriated $1 million for the project, but it needed a lot more financial assistance.The Friends contacted Rep. Steve Handy (R-Layton) to solicit his assistance. 

“They shared their vision of what was happening here, and said, ‘Steve, this isn’t in the governor’s budget. Can you help?’”

He said he could, introducing an RFA – request for appropriation – to the legislature for which Handy said he would be “the point of the spear. I told them I’d get this in front of the appropriators, and we have wonderful legislative leaders from Davis County who were able to carry the ball over the goal line.” The result, the $12 million appropriation this year.

“Antelope Island’s popularity just continues to grow,” said Park Manager Jeremy Shaw, who’s been at the park for 11 years. “Improving and expanding the amenities at the park helps us to meet the increased demand while also enhancing the visitor experience.”

In 2011, about 260,000 visitors came to Antelope Island. Last year, that number was 1,074,570, making the Island the third most visited state park in Utah behind Sand Hollow State Park and Dead Horse Point State Park. That first $1million in 2020 allowed for engineering and design of the building to begin. This new $12 million infusion will allow for the remodel and new construction of what will be a “visitor/learning center.” 

“We recognized almost immediately after it was built that the visitors center was inadequate,” Kinard said. “It’s seriously undersized. Students come by the thousands and we’ve had no place to host or teach them. So it’s been our dream to find the money to do this remodel and expansion. We want to get the learning center, the theater and the auditorium built. We’re going to make a movie about the Island, so when people come here, they can stop at the center, watch the film, get an idea of what the island’s all about, and then go out and enjoy.”

“There have been countless hours put in by volunteers like the Friends,” said Jeff Rasmussen, director of Utah State Parks who, ironically, had his first job as a ranger on the Island. “The Friends have raised literally hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the Island and provide new opportunities for improvements. They are one of the main driving forces in making this happen. And Representative Steve Handy has been pushing and adding his support in our efforts. We thank him for his work in making this happen.”

The current building, which is 5,100 square feet, will be remodeled and incorporated into the 15,000 square foot education center, in partnership with Weber State University, Westminster College, and with interest from the University of Utah and Utah State University. The amphitheater will be razed as part of the new construction, which could begin before year’s end. An expanded look at this project and a deeper dive into Antelope Island, its history and legacy, will appear in our monthly City Journals in May. λ