Adventure defined
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Scott Schwebke
Standard-Examiner staff
sschwebke@standard.net
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strong>Ogden rec center shown off by officials
OGDEN -- A $19.5 million high-adventure recreation center under construction got its new name and lofty praise Friday from officials who are describing the structure as the city's crown jewel.
Following a news conference to announce the facility's new moniker as the Salomon Center, one of the brands of the Amer Sports Corp. which is moving its North American headquarters to the American Can Co. complex in May, the 125,000- square-foot building was shown off to the media.
The first floor of the structure, encompassing nearly 66,000 square feet of space, will house FatCats Fun Center, including an arcade, 32-lane bowling alley, billiard room, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf, bumper cars, children's play area, sports shop, Champ's Sport Bar, Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill, The Pizza Factory and Striker's Grill.
Also located on the first floor will be Skyventure Utah, a vertical windtunnel that will simulate free-fall skydiving, a Flowrider surf pool and a 55-foot indoor boulder- and rope-climbing wall billed as the largest of its kind in the region.
The Skyventure attraction will be powered by four 300 horsepower fans that produce smooth wall-to-wall airflow in the flight chamber at wind speeds of up to 120 mph, allowing participants to float at heights of up to 30 feet depending on their skill level.
It will cost $50 for first-time flyers and $15 per minute after that. Training will be provided by certified instructors. The Flowrider will cost $20 per hour.
Workout
The building's second floor, encompassing 59,000 square feet, will house Gold's Gym, which will feature a multipurpose health-and-fitness center, indoor track, basketball and racquetball courts, along with a whirlpool, steam room, sauna and 4,000-square-foot aerobic room. A mezzanine off the second floor will be occupied by The Dance Establishment, a dance school for children and adults.
One of the Salomon Center's most visible and unique features are the massive glass windows at the front of the building, measuring about 75 feet tall and 75 feet wide to allow spectators to view the climbing wall from an elaborate plaza outside.
The plaza will feature a sandstone seating and pedestrian area with a water feature and a 42-foot-tall steel-and-bronze sculpture depicting a mountain climber and belay.
Kamie Geiger, the city's project coordinator for The Junction, said the plaza will serve as a community gathering place. "We hope it becomes a place for festivals and community events," she said.
Unique
Mayor Matthew Godfrey said Friday the Salomon Center will be unique.
"There is not any other high-adventure center like this in Utah," Godfrey said. "It will be a model for the country. It's a very exciting day for Ogden."
Amer has been given the naming rights to the Salomon Center for a decade, in exchange for its promise to bring 230 jobs to Ogden, many of which will pay $60,000 to $70,000 annually, Godfrey said.
The city may choose to extend the naming agreement with Amer after 10 years, he said.
Mike Dowse, president and general manager of Amer Sports' U.S. winter and outdoor division, said the opportunity to attach its name to an iconic building like the recreation center was a major factor in the company's decision to move to Ogden.
"The city has been so good to us. We want to give back to the city," he said. "We are excited to be part of the community."
Fanfare
Name: Salomon Center
Cost: $19.5 million
Opening: May
Major features: 32 lanes of bowling, four restaurants, state-of-the art gym, skydiving simulator, surf pool and 55-foot indoor climbing wall.
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