New $17 million Fairpark stadium opens in time for rodeo

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A new $17 million stadium at the Utah State Fairpark is set to open in time for this month’s Days of ’47 Rodeo.

The Deseret News reports (http://bit.ly/2uiv6Y9 ) that the 10,000-seat stadium is designed to give the rodeo a new permanent home and rejuvenate the west-side neighborhood around the aging fairgrounds.

The state of Utah gave $10 million for the stadium while The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contributed $3 million. The rest was was paid for by city and county governments and private donations.

The rodeo had been held in recent years at Vivint Smart Home Arena where the NBA’s Utah Jazz play their games.

The new Fairpark stadium is also expected to host motorsports events, concerts, demolition derbies, equestrian events and other rodeos.