FARMINGTON—A new building with new branding is about to take shape at the Legacy Events Center. The Western Sports Park (WSP) athletic complex is a 120,000-square-foot new arena building that will be located next to the existing facility. A groundbreaking was held Tuesday to kick off the construction that is anticipated to take 15 months with an opening in 2024.

The Legacy Events Center was established in 1990, said Kent Andersen, Director Community and Economic Development. “It was designed for equestrian events. In 1998, the building opened and was built to host the 2002 Olympic Rodeo Cultural Event.” 

In an increasingly competitive market the center started to host youth sports, trade shows and dog shows, he said. “Realizing that equestrians would be displaced, the county is building the Davis Agricultural Heritage Center at the Kaysville Botanical Gardens that will be completed later this summer. It will reimagine the County Fair into a Heritage Festival.”

Location, location, location, said Andersen. “We’ve all heard it. The WSP is next to FrontRunner, I-15, the airport, and Station Park. Imagine if you’re at a sporting event and you’re looking for something to do. We’re also close to Lagoon.”

The WSP will have two indoor arenas and 55 acres of overall site. The existing building is 62,000 square feet and has an indoor arena with a concrete floor and outdoor soccer fields. Combined the two facilities will have close to 5,000 spectator seats. 

Rendering of one of two indoor arenas in the 120,000-square-foot facility that will be completed in 2025. Courtesy of Davis County.

“We can host wrestling, dance, tumbling, cheer,” said Andersen. “It can go beyond youth sports. We can hold larger events like graduations.”

It’s a marathon not a sprint, he said. “It’s projected to take 15 months and be completed next year.”

“This will become a family fun center,” said Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson. “We expect this to expand to the western United States.”

The heritage of the state is tied around families, he said. “We have hotels, restaurants, Lagoon and Cherry Hill. We don’t have Zions or Bryce but we’re the best county model in the U.S.”

It’s not only an investment for people coming in, said Natalie Randall, executive director of Utah Tourism Industry Association. “It brings many amenities that are beneficial to residents as well.”

“You’ve hit this one out of the park,” said Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson in reference to Andersen’s many sports analogies during the program. “Davis County has done a lot of things right on behalf of the state.”

In addition to the economic impact it helps with youth mental health, she said. “Studies have found that 42% of young people say they’ve been sad and depressed and stopped doing what they love.”

There’s a disconnect in society, said Henderson. “The pandemic, social media and phones have all hurt.”

Team sports have been shown to help mental health, create friendships and improve self esteem, she said. “That’s important in society as we grow apart instead of growing together and being united.”

Henderson said last year she visited Israel and met a man who had started a soccer league with Israeli and Palestinian players. “He knew the value of sports and if he had Palestinian and Israeli youth play together they wouldn’t shoot at each other when they grow up.”

Davis County Tourism Director Jessica Merrill unveiled the new branding, Western Sports Park. “This will become the premiere athletic center – a sports destination. This branding is a promise to our guests that we’ve got your back.”

WSP is an exciting facility in the Mountain West, she said. “This tells athletes that they’re competing with the big dogs. Coaches need to bring their A-game. WSP encourages athletes to dig a little deeper and make a moment. At WSP that moment will come to life.