Western Sports Park Raises Game in Davis County

Activity buzzes indoors as a series of workers set up lighting and infrastructure, making sure the court surfaces are laid properly and decals placed immaculately. All the while, the floor-to-ceiling window areas on the concourse showcase the Wasatch Mountains.

The Western Sports Park, a 55-acre venue that will open this summer, will be one of the largest multi-purpose facilities in the Rocky Mountains and the centerpiece for Discover Davis County in Utah.

“Western Sports Park marks a major step forward for Davis County,” said Discover Davis County Destination Sales Manager Erin Miller. “The park now makes it possible to host larger-scale events that weren’t feasible before. Its flexibility and year-round usability create opportunities for regional and even national tournaments, all within a welcoming, family-friendly setting.

“The indoor arenas also bring a valuable advantage during the winter months, helping to drive visitor traffic and stimulate the local economy when it’s typically quieter. By supporting activity throughout the year, Western Sports Park positions Davis County as a rising destination in the sports tourism landscape, drawing a broad mix of events and guests.”

Western Sports Park will have six full-sized fields for soccer, lacrosse, rugby and ultimate frisbee. The indoor facility includes basketball and volleyball courts, two indoor arenas, sports medicine and team rooms as well as wellness and sensory rooms.

The complex was originally where the county fairgrounds were located and had one arena that was used as an equestrian center. The arena was used as a drive-through vaccination center and voting center during the pandemic but is being renovated with a quick walkway to the new arena.

The existing arena has the ability to host up to a dozen mats for wrestling and will have 2,200 new seats. The new arena will have an increased number of concession spots and restrooms. The modern amenities include concession spots that can be taken over by local food trucks for special weekends to showcase their food, a separate officials room with showers and a multi-purpose room that can fit up to 1,000 people but is also divisible into three team rooms with space for player storage and televisions attached to each wall.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” Miller said. “Since groundbreaking, we have had the opportunity to attend several trade shows where we have promoted the new facility to a wide range of event organizers and industry professionals. These efforts have sparked strong interest from a diverse mix of groups—basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, spikeball, adaptive sports and many others.

“Existing clients at WSP are also very excited about the potential opportunities through this expansion and upgrade. Many are actively planning new tournaments and looking to grow their current events now that they’ll have access to a high-quality, modern venue. The momentum and energy around this project just keep growing.”

Venues Abound in Davis County

There is more than one facility within Davis County, a destination north of Salt Lake Citu that has 10 golf courses and more than 500 miles of trails for hiking plus nine ski resorts within an hour’s drive.

On this morning, the familiar sounds of pickleball were heard outside of Farmington Regional Park, which also has baseball and softball fields plus soccer fields and an indoor gymnasium for basketball, volleyball and more. Ellison Park is another recreational facility in the county with 44 acres that includes fields for Little League and AAA baseball, football, soccer and softball, as well as pickleball courts and a sand volleyball court.

The new Tennis Academy of Utah has four indoor courts plus a fitness gym and physio room for training with plans to expand the facility to as many as 10 indoor and outdoor courts with the ability to host lower-level ATP Tour events and USTA regional tournaments. There’s also Antelope BMX, with 13,000 yards of dirt for its track that measures just under 1,300 feet from starting gate to finish line. The facility has up to 40 riders on practice nights twice a week before 80 on weekend race nights.

“Antelope BMX adds a high-energy component, attracting regional and national BMX competitions and bringing in a passionate fan base,” Miller said. “The Tennis Academy of Utah complements this with a more traditional, skill-based sport, appealing to a wide range of demographics through youth tournaments, adult leagues, and training programs.”

Being 20 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and closer to the SLC International Airport also gives the facilities within Davis County the chance to have more than just the drive market. The destination has the ability to use its other attractions to keep traveling sports families beyond the event.

“Visitors will find welcoming communities with small-town hospitality alongside a growing food scene, updated infrastructure and modern amenities that enhance the overall experience,” Miller said.