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A Utah city that sometimes feels left out of the attention lavished on other Utah destinations has now found itself in the spotlight.
Ogden is earning an entirely new reputation.
Nationally, Salt Lakes and Park City's ski resorts are well-known, but USA Today highlighted the lesser known Snowbasin and Powder Mountain resorts in the Ogden area.
City leaders say it's just another reason to visit the new Ogden and help shed the reputation you probably have of the city. Sara Toliver, with the Ogden Convention and Visitors Bureau, says, "It's been an amazing transition."
Even as director of Ogden's visitors bureau, Toliver can't believe how much her hometown has changed. She says, "Growing up here, truthfully, I did not think it's where I'd be spending the rest of my life, and now, I wouldn't want to be anyplace else."
National publications are noticing. Ski Magazine, Rock and Ice, National Geographic Adventure, Outside Magazine and now USA Today have all named Ogden one of the up and coming cities to live, work, and play.
Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey says, "We feel so honored that the national media is paying attention to Ogden, that they know who we are and what were trying to accomplish."
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Ogden wants to be the Mecca for outdoor recreation in the United States. There's indoor skydiving, surfing, rock climbing and the nearby ski resorts. Even national outdoor-type companies have relocated here.
"They know who we are, and I think that validates our message," says Godfrey.
And even with all the recognition Ogden is getting, city officials are not done yet. Downtown construction will allow more businesses to move in. There's also a planned athletic center, which includes indoor bicycling, tennis courts and a world-class archery range.
Some residents like the new Ogden. Ben Rojas says there aren't a lot of vacant lots, and a lot of new businesses are coming in.
Others think there are more important things than outdoor recreation. Ogden resident Lawana Hayes says, "Part of me being here is to try to find a job. Nothing is going on. It's hard out there."
No matter what you think of Ogden, city leaders just want you to visit. Toliver says, "Once they get here, they want to come back and see it again."
Ogden City leaders admit their reputation has a lot to do with the city's rough past. But they truly believe if you visit some of the new places they've built, you'll like what you see.
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
