SANDY, Utah — Fairly soon, you'll be able to head to the mall to shop, grab a bite to eat at the food court and watch the best NHL players in action on the ice.
Utah's new NHL team announced Monday that it will build its permanent practice and training facility at The Shops at South Town mall in Sandy. The facility on 111 acres will open in time for the 2025-26 season.
A practice facility location for the franchise's upcoming season has yet to be finalized.
Not only will the Sandy location contain at least two NHL-standard ice rinks, but the Smith Entertainment Group said it will be the home of the team's offices. In addition to providing a space for the NHL to train, the building will be available for community use, including youth and amateur hockey leagues.
Word of the plans caused great excitement for those who hope the facility will revitalize the old shopping center.
"We've got hotels, we've got restaurants, we've got Mountain America Expo Center and so it would, it would really add to a tourism element as far as, you know, what else comes with their plan," said Jay Francis, CEO of the South Valley Chamber of Commerce.
It's not known what impact the practice facility will have on the mall, where a large portion of spaces sit vacant.
"Some places in the mall that is vacant and [are] not being used to its maximum capacity," said Francis, "so, I think, they could weave that in if they took some of the square footage that's not being used, connect it, put it adjacent."
