Latest Progress on Our New Sports Park

I am excited to provide you with the latest update about the development of our soon-to-be iconic Regional Sports Park. Our vision of making Provo home to the second-largest planned sports complex in the nation is gradually taking form. You'll see the landscape change as sod is laid this spring and curbs are currently being constructed.

The latest and most exciting development? The inclusion of pickleball courts in our state-of-the-art facility, making us a beacon for this fastest-growing sport, both locally and nationwide. With $2.5 million of tourism grant support from our friends at Utah County, the goal of a regional Pickleball complex is in reach.

The existing $2.5 grant is contingent on an equal amount of private fundraising to activate this project. A private fundraising group, designated by the Provo Foundation, is looking for interested donors.

Working north to south on the overall regional sports park will result in 15 multipurpose fields available for play in Fall, 2024. Dates for Pickleball complex opening are dependent on successful community fundraising efforts—so calling on all Pickleball enthusiasts to spread the fundraising word!

This initiative, alongside the 21 multi-use fields and park amenities spread across 100 acres, will attract athletes and families from all corners of the country, further promoting our city on a national level. We do recognize the need for additional infrastructure, such as hotels and other support businesses, to fully cater to this influx of visitors and are working tirelessly to address this.

As a city that's home to 330 local teams who share just 11 existing fields, we were striving to meet our local sporting needs. This facility not only resolves that issue but also opens avenues for Provo to become a hub in the national youth sports and tournament industry, driving substantial economic benefits to our city.

The potential revenue from this sports complex is estimated to be an impressive $30-$40 million annually. However, we believe the ripple effects of this project, coupled with our new airport and additional support services, could amplify this even further.

The acquisition of 100 acres on our city's west side was made possible thanks to a federal grant and the staunch support of Utah County, pushing our vision closer to reality. This Regional Sports Park, a cornerstone of my "Big 6" visionary projects, stands as a testament to Provo's commitment to being welcoming, safe, economically vibrant, and forward-looking.

Sports tourism is a rapidly growing sector that's generating significant economic returns. By turning Provo into a coveted destination for sports tourists, we’re poised to benefit from this economic tide.

Take the example of St. George, a city that generates nearly $40 million in annual spending by hosting just six youth tournaments each year. We are confident that Provo can emulate and even surpass this success, boosting our local economy and enriching our recreational systems.

Thank you for joining me in this journey to elevate Provo. Your continued support fuels our endeavors to enhance our city's charm and appeal. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project!

The Miss Provo Competition is on the Horizon

The Miss Provo Competition is back, and it promises to be more extraordinary than ever before. Mark your calendars for September 16, 2023, when the Covey Arts Center will transform into a stage for a remarkable celebration of beauty, talent, and intellect. This competition is a splendid opportunity for young women in our community to demonstrate their strengths and talents.

Before we get to the main event, I want to emphasize an important meeting taking place tonight - the Mandatory Orientation Meeting. This meeting will start at 7:00 pm at the Freedom Festival Office, located at 4626 N 300 W, Suite 300 in Provo. Please ensure you attend this event to gather essential information and understand the rules, regulations, and expectations of the competition.

For all potential contestants, applications are due by the first workshop on August 1st. Make sure you do not miss this date! The application can be downloaded here:

MP 2023 Contestant Application

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Download PDF • 114KB

I also want to highlight the significant scholarship prizes that this competition brings along. The newly crowned Miss Provo will receive a $3,000 scholarship, while the 1st and 2nd Attendants will be awarded $1,500 and $1,000, respectively. This is an amazing opportunity for our contestants to help fund their education, and it underscores the value we place on the empowerment of women and the importance of education in our city.

The Miss Provo Competition is more than a competition; it's a platform for personal growth and development, as well as an opportunity to give back to the community in a meaningful way. I am proud to support and promote this event, and I am looking forward to seeing our community come together in support of these impressive women.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the big day. Meanwhile, let's gear up for tonight's Mandatory Orientation Meeting. See you there, Provo!

Exploring the Provo Library: A Community Jewel

When my children were growing up, the local library was a significant part of our lives. Our weeks were highlighted by our regular trips to the library, returning home with bags of books that brought learning, joy, and a sense of enchantment into our home. We never missed a summer reading program, and my children quickly discovered the library to be a welcoming, safe haven where they were eager to spend time.

Today, as the Mayor, my appreciation and admiration for our local Provo Library has grown manifold. I hope you share my sense of awe when contemplating the countless resources, services, and opportunities our library offers to our community. The Provo Library is, without a doubt, a hidden gem, a treasure trove waiting to be discovered by all of us.

We all know the conventional services a library offers - books, reading programs, book sales, and author events. But at the Provo Library, this is just the starting point. The library goes above and beyond in providing a myriad of services, materials, and experiences designed to engage, educate, and entertain all who visit. Some of the lesser-known features of our library are truly impressive.

For instance, did you know the Provo Library hosts a basement creative lab, complete with a full audio-visual studio, green screen, and stop-motion animation? What an excellent resource for a school project or personal endeavor! The library also provides a plethora of equipment - Go Pros, telescopes, bicycle repair kits, and more - all available for check-out. The library also houses board games, video games, three escape rooms (perfect for a fun outing with friends!), and two art galleries. And these are just a few examples!

Our library is constantly evolving to support and nurture our community. Whether you need assistance with literacy learning, language learning, creative pursuits, or professional skill-building, there is a high likelihood that a resource awaits you at the library. With a dedicated and passionate staff to guide you, these opportunities are open to all. The library is also a fantastic space to connect with your community, thanks to book clubs, monthly craft clubs, Conversation Club, meeting rooms, and a diverse range of special interest programs.

On any given visit, you're guaranteed to find something engaging at the library. Explore the seed library, engage in play and learning with kids' toys, or take part in an 'anytime' craft session that you can undertake right in the library.

There is so much more to discover, and I encourage you to spend some time navigating through provolibrary.org. Here, you'll uncover the countless ways that the library can enrich your life. For more regular updates and outreach, follow the library on Instagram @provolibrary.

Finally, let's not forget: while the library offers so much more, it remains an unbeatable resource for books. My hope is that you'll make the most of this remarkable community asset. The Provo Library, with its endless offerings and its mission to serve the community, is truly one of the factors that makes Provo exceptional.