Seven Utah cities are home to one or more convention centers, but Provo is not one of them. However, this may not be the case forever.

A recent study assessed the feasibility of creating additional conference facilities in Utah County, and recommended two options for a convention center in Provo. The first would be a freestanding, 80,000-square-foot facility that would cost approximately $29 million to build. The second option would be to build an addition to the Marriott, Utah County's only five-star hotel. This option would cost considerably less: $15 million to $16 million.

Three out-of-state agencies conducted the study in November - Conventions, Sports & Leisure International; Hospitality Research Counselors; and an architectural firm.

Kelly Ward is the chairman of a task force assigned to review the study.

"We're not going to be making any decisions concerning whether it goes forth or not," Ward said. "Our task is simply to take and look at the study."

Ward said the study found there are unmet needs for additional convention space in Utah County.

After Ward and his task force, comprised of citizens and business leaders, review the findings of the study, they will make recommendations to Utah County commissioners and Provo City Council members.

Ward said they are leaning towards a smaller facility. The task force has looked at either proposing a smaller facility or the addition to the Marriott, he said.

The task force wants to be as conservative as possible and that is why they do not want to pursue a larger facility, Ward said.

He is optimistic that Provo will be able to support a convention center.

"We believe if a conference center is built, folks will come knocking at the door wanting to participate," he said.

David Miles, assistant director of the special events department at BYU, said there is a need for a convention center in the community.

"Anytime you can have a variety of events...it helps the tax base, tourism and puts Provo on the map in a lot of positive ways," he said.

Not everyone, however, is quite as optimistic that Provo will be able to support such a facility.

"I don't think you could draw enough business to keep that thing in the black every year," said Mark Hildebrand, director of the McKay Events Center at UVSC.

There are some issues that need to be addressed before a convention center is built, he said.

The first issue, he said, is that Provo is far away from a major airport. Outside trade shows will probably continue to go to Salt Lake or Park City, he said.

Another issue is serving alcohol. People like to "party," Hildebrand said, and Provo has little nightlife to offer. Officials, he said, would have to come up with a plan to offer convention center patrons alternatives to partying.

Despite his doubts, Hildebrand said he still believes there's a market for a convention center in Provo.

"I can see a need for one," he said. "But can it support itself?"

Funding for building the convention center is still yet to be decided.

"We're looking at all available funding sources," Ward said.

The task force has looked at using a transit room tax to fund the facility, Ward said. This would not be a tax for the general public, he said, but rather a hotel tax to be paid by patrons of the convention center.

The task force has identified significant economic benefits to the community, Ward said.

The proposed convention center would have an estimated economic impact of $10 million annually, potentially creating 159 new jobs and increasing county and city revenue tax by $200,000 annually, Ward said.

The task force expects to finish its review of the study by mid-June, Ward said.

Copyright Brigham Young University 17 Apr 2006