Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
No one can ever forget the joy, excitement and pride of the Utah hosting of the 2002 Winter Olympics. What an absolutely great occasion!
But, thanks to Fraser Bullock and the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, the Olympic Cauldron Park at Rice Eccles Stadium will provide a legacy that will rekindle the spirit, renew the memories and educate the young to those glorious days in February 2002.
Today, August 22, 2003 the public will get their very first look at the $12 million plaza. (Incidentally, not one dime of tax money or University money was expended for the facility. All of the funding came from the Salt Lake Organizing Committee.)
No other Olympic city has anything close to the Olympic Cauldron Park. This large permanent facility will feature the cauldron with a reflective pool and a wall of water that will feature the names of all of the Olympic Medal Winners.
The Hoberman Arch that gained worldwide attention at the Medals Plaza will find its permanent home at the Park. Also, at the site will be a major visitors' center with photos, and interactive video kiosk with many images of the games. There will be a ten-minute film that promises to "knock your socks off." There will be three high definition projectors on a very large curved screen with 150 degrees of coverage.
The Olympic Cauldron Park will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The park is usually closed on Sundays, but does have special hours this coming Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free and all aspects of the experience will be offered at no charge except for the film that will have a small fee of $3 for adults and $2 for children. This fee will pay for the operation of the Park, and to update the film.
This is something that will draw visitors from around the world, and of course, every Utahn should be a regular visitor. Don't you miss this experience!
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
