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There is serious talk of expanding the Salt Palace Convention Center - again.
Nothing wrong with that! It is a sure indication that Utah’s convention business is healthy. Because of the Salt Palace and other amenities, various groups pour enormous amounts of money into the local economy each year. Without an expansion, though, economic ill health could quickly develop. The biggest annual convention held at the Salt Palace - the Outdoor Retailers - has outgrown the 365,000 square foot facility and is looking elsewhere. Unless, of course, the Salt Palace is expanded to meet the organization’s needs. The Outdoor Retailers’ convention is worth keeping. Foremost, it funnels more than $30 million a year toward local restaurants, hotels and other businesses.
As always, finding the money to pay for an expansion of the Salt Palace has politicians in a quandary. What works for one entity, seems unfair and unrealistic to another. The fact it is an election year doesn’t help. Still, KSL believes creative and workable solutions are possible.
With a June 18 deadline looming for the Outdoor Retailers to learn the level of Salt Lake’s commitment to keeping them, a decision must be made soon. It would be a shame to let election year politics get in the way of doing what’s best for the community.
