Just In Time: Convention Center Expansion Complete

None by KCPW

Outdoor Retailers Due This Week

(KCPW News) Construction crews are putting the final touches on the Salt Palace Convention Center expansion. It includes enough concrete for a sidewalk from Salt Lake to Wendover and glass equivalent to 35-thousand wine goblets. The expansion was built-to-order for one convention - and as KCPW's Julie Rose reports, it's finished just in time:

The Outdoor Retailers' Summer Market was the impetus for the expansion, says Salt Palace General Manager Allyson Jackson. Last year, the convention was forced into a makeshift exhibit hall.

"Just twelve months ago, we stood here and had tents on this slab. We had 100-thousand square feet of tents on this floor. Today we are approaching the finish line. The footprint of the Salt Palace is now over a million square feet."

The $58 million expansion project took just 19 months to complete. Crews poured enough concrete for a sidewalk from Salt Lake City to Wendover, and installed carpet equivalent to covering Rice-Eccles Stadium twice. The Salt Palace expansion also includes 400 new underground parking spots that will double as a garage for Delta Center events.

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