SANDY, Utah — Not content with using part of the mall to build a practice facility for the new Utah Hockey Club, the Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) announced they have now purchased all of The Shops of South Town in Sandy.
The purchase comes nearly three months after SEG revealed plans to construct a permanent practice and training facility at a mall location of a former department store.
On Thursday, the group said it had purchased the entire site, including the grounds surrounding the mall which is the home to locations such as Target, REI and Texas Roadhouse.
“Today is a crucial step forward in expanding SEG’s real estate footprint and public benefit offerings for our fans and residents of Utah,” said SEG executive Jim Olson.
Although its plans other than a practice facility were not divulged, SEG said the mall will remain open for business as of now.
Several of the business owners, like Level 1 Gamers owner Lisa Hall, are concerned with how the move will affect them.
"I love this mall, but I dont think it could hurt to bring in more restaurants and entertainment in, and things like that. Anything that drives more people in the mall, helps our business,” said Hall.
President and CEO of South Valley Chamber of Commerce Jay Francis believes it will revitalize the mall.
"I think what we'll see in the next 5 years because of this will be game-changing for sandy, which will be good for the south part of the valley,” said Francis.
A groundbreaking for the new practice and training facility, which also be open for community events, will take place Monday, Aug. 12. The facility will include two regulation rinks, as well as offices for the Utah Hockey Club.
In May, SEG purchased a building for the Utah Hockey Club's practice facility that housed the Dreamscapes immersive art exhibit by the Utah Arts Alliance, forcing them to relocate to a space at The Gateway.
Sandy mayor, Monica Zoltanski, said she is excited for the community partnerships the Smith Entertainment Group can bring.
"It’s an older mall, people have known it, we've loved it, retail has changed, a lot over the last ten years, so this component with sports and entertainment and what the future will bring to the Sandy community it’s really going to be an invigorating anchor destination for our city," said Zoltanski.
