Utah Losing One Professional Hockey Team After Unexpected Sale of Colorado Avalanche Affiliate
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The state of Utah will be losing its beloved ECHL Grizzlies after the Colorado Avalanche announced the sale of that franchise in an unexpected move.
West Valley City has formally approved the Utah Grizzlies' departure from the Maverik Center, and the state, after close to 30 years.
West Valley has been the team's home since way back in 1995
Tuesday afternoon, the City Council unanimously approved the sale of the minor league hockey team whose home has been the West Valley since 1995.
«Reluctantly, but yes,» was the response from councilor Don Christensen, in the attitude shared by most.
Pro Hockey Partners LLC will buy the Grizzlies and relocate the team. The team has a 40% interest in the city and was coerced into approval of the sale as the 2009 deals were reached in a bid for the franchise not to collapse.
West Valley City bought the team's minority stake in 2009 in a bid to settle a $600,000 rental debt in the form of cash.
The team said in June that it was searching for a sale. The outcome comes after the 2023 death of longtime owner David Elmore, the owner behind the Elmore Sports Group.
His co-owner and ill-ailing widow in poor health, Donna Tuttle, is in failing health and making ongoing family involvement untenable. Though the future loss stings at the fan level, the city is already looking ahead.
"It is a sad day for West Valley City with the Grizzlies leaving," one Grizzlies fan told the City Council on Tuesday. "I know council member Christensen and his family were regular supporters of it. I've been to lots of games. And it is a sad day. It is not a surprise, but it is a very sad day for West Valley City."
Although the anchor tenant would abandon the building, the City Council has approved spending $300,000 in order to begin renovations on the 1997-opened Maverik Center.
The city says the arena needs a number of upgrades in the future, including:
Seat replacements.
Renovated suites.
New VIP lounge.
Renovated concession stands.
Remodeled bathrooms.
Redesigned restaurant and banquet room.
Parking lot redesign.
Locker room redesign.
New tech and sound systems.
Security system update.
Ice deck replacement.
Renovated kitchens.
"The Maverik Center is almost 30 years old and in need of major renovations to keep up with the industry as a Sports Arena and Entertainment Center," a city document shared with council members read.
Seat replacements.
Renovated suites.
New VIP lounge.
Renovated concession stands.
Remodeled bathrooms.
Redesigned restaurant and banquet room.
Parking lot redesign.
Locker room redesign.
New tech and sound systems.
Security system update.
Ice deck replacement.
Renovated kitchens.
"The Maverik Center is almost 30 years old and in need of major renovations to keep up with the industry as a Sports Arena and Entertainment Center," a city document shared with council members read.
City officials are optimistic about the outcome for the arena. The complex will continue to hold concerts and other events and will also hold the Olympics in 2034 in the winter.
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