Events center without a name

An opportunity for generating revenue now stands where the McKay name once was on one of UVU's most prominent buildings. Trent Bates/ UVU Review

University President Matthew Holland and Briant Farnsworth, dean of the School of Education, gathered for a press conference Jan. 19 to discuss the implications of the move of the McKay name from the prominent events center to the Education Building.

The conference addressed the future of the events center as well as the school’s plans for finding a new donor.

The request for the move was made by the original donor both to honor David O. McKay’s legacy as an educator as well as assist the school in generating revenue.

The name now decorates UVU’s Education Building housing elementary and secondary education bachelor programs, early childhood education associate and certificate programs, as well as a master of education program, the first master’s program to be introduced when UVU became a university in 2008.

McKay’s prominent name on the campus events center was removed Jan. 18, leaving the building an attractive donation opportunity for potential sponsors eager to assist UVU with its recent budget cuts. Last year alone UVU’s budget faced a 17 percent reduction due to the economy.

Holland said it was “a unique opportunity at a critical junction for the school,” as UVU is the second largest public university in Utah reaching a time of record enrollment growth.

While Holland said the school has no favorite or hopeful donors yet, they hope it will be a competitive market. Holland also said they will make the decision based on what they feel is best for the university “to help protect the institutional mission we have before us.”

The 8,500-seat events center was established in 1996 and serves as headquarters to the athletics department, the NBA’s Development League Utah Flash, and many other community and school events. It is also home to UVU’s renowned culinary arts program and Greg’s Restaurant.

It sits at the corner of the second busiest intersection in the state with as many as 150,000 cars passing the center each day and is “only going to become busier,” said Holland.

While the price for the naming of the building was not stated in the press conference UVU will begin soliciting the opportunity in the coming weeks. Interested parties may contact UVU Advancement Vice President Val Hale at (801) 863-8335.