Since 1969, the Jon M. Huntsman Center has been the primary venue for Ute sports like basketball, gymnastics and volleyball. It has also been the home to some of the greatest sports moments in the history of Utah.
Now, despite history and significance to the University of Utah, it is being relocated.
The arena’s relocation is a part of the U’s Campus Physical Development Framework, which was approved during a Board of Trustees meeting on March 11. The motion to relocate the Huntsman Center was approved unanimously by the board.
“We’re really transitioning from what has traditionally been a commuter campus into a destination campus,” U President Taylor Randall said. He added that in doing this it will help prepare for the infrastructure that will be needed for the 2034 Winter Olympics.
In order for Randall’s vision of “college town magic” to be unlocked, the historic arena needed to be moved. The goal of this plan is to “shaping the future of campus physical spaces for a more connected, vibrant and student-focused” U of U, according to the plan’s mission statement.
The plan also states that “this coincides with ongoing conversations about the future of an aging arena and needs for a best-in-class multipurpose facility to serve the next generation of fans, students and our community.”
Where the center will be moved to is still being determined. Randall said that studies and input from the community will help decide the arena’s new location. Parking access and construction costs are some of the factors considered in the relocation process.
“It’s a historical building that all of us have benefited from so much, but the timing in this parallel path of President Randall’s vision aligns with the timing of the building that is frankly not as accessible as it needs to be,” said Mark Harlan, university athletics director.
The 55-year old arena has historically been ranked third among the nation’s arenas for the most NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games hosted. The Center has hosted nine national gymnastic championships, the Red Rocks selling out tickets regularly in recent years.
Originally named the Special Events Center, its name changed to the Huntsman Center in 1987. The first athletic event held at the Center was on December 1, 1969, where the Runnin’ Utes Basketball defeated Stanford 96-94, in a non-conference game.
Events will continue at the Huntsman Center until the new location is completed. While the arena is looking for its new home, the Jon M. and Karen Huntsman Basketball Facility and the Dumke Gymnastics Facility will remain unmoved. However, HPER gymnasiums and a number of College of Health spaces and the Turpin University Services Building may be impacted by the new physical development plan.
The process of identifying a new location for the center will evolve over several years and they will take into consideration the feedback of leadership, the community, fans and donors.
“I want to assure you that the process to identify the ideal location for a new arena will be very thorough, comprehensive and inclusive. We will have the opportunity to explore a completely reimagined in-venue experience to serve our athletics programs and our great fans who support our teams,” Harlan said in a letter addressed to Utah Athletics that same day.
