Utah Wild is proud and excited to be part of a proposal for the future of the Ballpark in Salt Lake City, formerly the home of the Salt Lake Bees minor league baseball team. When the Bee's announced their leaving early in 2023, Salt Lake City (the owners of the ballpark) started soliciting ideas for what to do with this facility and land. We were approached in early March by a group of community members, women's sports organizations, and local business owners, asking us to join them in supporting a vision for this space that centers around supporting women's sports, women-owned business, and 365 activation for this community space. This is colloquially being called "Her Stadium SLC" and "She Plays Here Stadium."
We believe this idea could have a major, positive impact on the neighborhood community and the women's sports community in Utah. It is time to take a stance founded in equity and inclusion, and prioritize these communities.
Recently, Utah Wild players and staff have gotten a chance to discuss this idea with the media, head over to our Media Page to hear more!
You can also learn more about this project at our landing page: https://mavendistrict.com/she-plays-here/
The Proposal
For more information on the proposal for BallparkNEXT, the following cover letter outlines our vision for this space.
The powerpoint attached includes additional information and imagery.
Key Takeaways
Equity: The Salt Lake Bees were a great part of our community. The city spent tens of millions of dollars to build the stadium and has been subsidizing the rent for that men's team for a long time. It's time for a similar commitment for women's teams from our community.
Activation: Through cooperation and smart scheduling, we can ensure the stadium is being utilized for games, tournaments, clinics, concerts, and other community events hundreds of days each year, and headquartering teams and organizations at the stadium will ensure it's being utilized 365 days a year.
Community: This reimagining of the city's ballpark will anchor a greater effort in the surrounding neighborhood to develop businesses that are aligned to the spirit of "She Plays Here," including restaurants, retail, a women's business incubator, and festival organizers. This vision aligns with the existing Ballpark Area Plan.
Cooperation: So far, our team has six organizations dedicated to girls and womens sports working together to make this vision a reality alongside business owners, land owners, community developers, and residents from the immediate neighborhood, city, and state. If our vision becomes a reality, the organizations that earn the right to be tenants of this space will work together to provide for the common wellbeing of all of the girls and women who practice and play at the stadium.
Positivity: There are many good ideas for the stadium and surrounding land. We LOVE this one and we are exceedingly optimistic about its potential, but we there are no bad proposals.
How to Take Action
Contact Salt Lake City Officials
Do you live in Salt Lake City? Contact your city councilor and tell them you love this idea!
Do you live in Utah, but outside of Salt Lake City? Contact the mayor and tell her you love this idea!
A simple, personal message stating the following can go a long way:
Introduce yourself and where you live
Mention where you heard about this idea and what you like about it
Optional: introduce why you care about this issue
Help Organize Locally
You can reach out to herstadiumslc@gmail.com to get involved with community organizing. This may include but is not limited to media activation, door to door promotion, social media promotion, and more!
Social Media
"Liking", sharing, and commenting on social media can go a long way! When you see this idea covered in local news or shared by local teams - show that post some love! Help us spread the word about this exciting idea - the more people that can show their support, the better!
You can also follow @herstadiumslc on Instagram and HerStadium SLC on Facebook for updates!
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