Jon M. Huntsman Center (formerly known as the Special Events Center), University of Utah
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Address
1825 South Campus Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
Year Completed
1969
Building Type
Location Area
Salt Lake City - University of Utah campus (UU)
Architect:
Firms and Partnerships
Project Description
Design Team: design oversight, Bruce Jensen, Director of the Department of Planning and Construction at the University of Utah; architect firm: Robert A. Fowler Associated Architects, master planning and full architectural service; structural, Hoffman C. Hughes; mechanical, Bridgers & Paxton; electrical, Blomquist & Brown; acoustical, Bolt, Baranek & Newman
Building Description: The Jon M. Huntsman Center is described as: “A 15,000-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. The arena opened in 1969 as the Special Events Center. In 1987, it was renamed in honor of chemicals entrepreneur and philanthropist Jon M. Huntsman, father of Utah’s former governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. From its opening until the completion of the Vivint Smart Home Area in 1991, it was one of Salt Lake City’s premier sports and entertainment venues…” “Architecturally, it was once known for its steel cloud, which hung from the arena’s silver dome interior. The steel cloud held the arena’s center court scoreboard, sound and lighting systems. The scoreboard was upgraded in the 1980s with the addition of state-of-the-art rear projection video screens. The rear projection system was upgraded in 1995, and replaced in 2006 by four LED video screens. In 2014, the arena was renovated again. The $6 million project removed the steel cloud, as well as added a new floor, LED lights, sound system, drapes, and two grand entrances to house a Hall of Fame and Legacy Hall…” “Today the 15,000-seat arena is still home to the University of Uah’s ‘Runnin’ Utes’ basketball teams (men’s and women’s) and ‘Red Rocks’ women’s gymnastics team. It also hosts concerts, mostly second-tier acts.”1
The arena is further described as, “The Circular concourse and seating arrangement allows for fluid ingress and egress. The form unifies the crowd and results in extraordinary good sight lines and spectator comfort due to the focus on the action. The building is considered to have exceptionally good sight lines and spectator comfort due to the focus on the action. The building is considered to have exceptionally good acoustics and has been used for a variety of performance events from rock concerts to university graduations.”2
An article from Inside Sports from December 1987 describes the arena as, “There is something about this structure that is conducive to playing good basketball, and the NCAA’s repeated return to this site for postseason competition is proof enough that it is among the best facilities in the country.”3
Sources
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2. “Jon M. Huntsman Center,” Wikipedia, accessed July 1, 2016, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_M._Huntsman_Center.
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5. “Jon M. Huntsman,” structure description, in “Data Sheets A-M” file, FFKR Architects, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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8. “Jon M. Huntsman,” structure description, quote from Inside Sports, December 1987, in “Data Sheets A-M” file, FFKR Architects, Salt Lake City, Utah.
9. “Jon M. Huntsman Center,” Wikipedia, accessed July 1, 2016, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_M._Huntsman_Center.
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